Bill > HB405

This bill amends Mississippi law regarding statutory rape by introducing a new provision that creates a rebuttable presumption against statutory rape if both individuals involved in a sexual act are enrolled as secondary school students (grades 7-12) and were in a consensual relationship at the time of the offense. This means that if both parties are dating and in high school, the prosecution would have to prove that the relationship was not consensual, rather than the defense having to prove consent. The bill also clarifies that the term "secondary school students" refers to anyone enrolled in grades 7 through 12 in Mississippi.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0405.xml