Bill > HB1605

This bill, known as the Mississippi Safe Dormitories Act, establishes several key provisions aimed at enhancing student safety in state higher education institutions. It prohibits registered sex offenders from residing in on-campus housing and bars employees from engaging in consensual romantic or sexual relationships with students over whom they have professional authority. The bill requires state institutions to provide single-sex living facilities and mandates that first-year students under 21 and unmarried must reside in these single-sex accommodations, where members of the opposite biological sex are not permitted as guests or visitors except in designated public visiting rooms. Institutions must develop educational materials and procedures to inform students and staff about policies designed to reduce sexual assault risks, and the bill allows students who believe their rights have been violated to file civil actions seeking relief, with a minimum damage award of $10,000 per violation. The legislation also removes state institutional immunity for violations, provides a one-year statute of limitations for filing suits, and includes exceptions for emergency personnel, campus employees performing their duties, and direct family members visiting during specific events. The bill aims to create safer campus living environments by implementing strict guidelines around housing, relationships, and sexual misconduct prevention.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1605.xml