Bill > HB1003

This bill revises Mississippi law concerning the intentional transmission of infectious diseases and endangerment by bodily substances, shifting the focus from "knowingly exposing" to "acting with the specific intent to transmit an infectious disease" through activities that create a substantial risk of transmission. It establishes defenses to prosecution, including if the infected person knew of the defendant's status beforehand, the disease was not transmitted, or preventative measures were taken. The bill defines "infectious disease" as a non-airborne, non-respiratory disease that is fatal or causes long-term disabling consequences without lifelong treatment, and clarifies what constitutes "conduct that poses a substantial risk of transmission" and "means to prevent transmission." Penalties are revised, with a misdemeanor violation punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, and the bill also addresses endangerment by bodily substance specifically within correctional facilities, requiring the intent to transmit an infectious disease and actual transmission for a conviction.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1003.xml