Bill > HB30

This bill amends Mississippi Code Section 97-5-32 to revise the definition of "child" for the crime of "grooming of a child," increasing the age from under sixteen (16) to under eighteen (18) years of age. Grooming of a child is defined as a person over twenty-one (21) years of age knowingly engaging in a pattern of conduct or communication, through various means including electronic devices, to entice, coerce, solicit, or prepare a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct, human trafficking, or procure their sexual servitude. The bill also outlines penalties for violations, including enhanced penalties for those in a position of trust or authority over the child, and for subsequent offenses or if the offender is a registered sex offender. The fines collected are to be deposited into a specific fund for victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0030.xml