Bill
Bill > HB1568
summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Create New Section 97-3-102, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide A Crime For A Therapist Who Engages In Sexual Contact With A Patient; To Amend Section 97-3-95, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Include The Term "therapist" In The Provision Of Law That Regulates The Crime Of Sexual Battery; To Amend Section 73-54-29, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Add Engaging In Sexual Contact With A Patient To The Grounds For Disciplinary Action Of Marriage And Family Therapists; To Amend Section 73-53-17, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Add Engaging In Sexual Contact With A Patient To The Grounds For Disciplinary Action Of Social Workers; To Amend Section 73-30-21, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Add Engaging In Sexual Contact With A Patient To The Grounds For Disciplinary Action Of Licensed Professional Counselors; To Amend Section 73-31-21, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Add Engaging In Sexual Contact With A Patient To The Grounds For Disciplinary Action Of Psychologists; To Amend Section 73-25-29, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Add Engaging In Sexual Contact With A Patient To The Grounds For Disciplinary Action Of Physicians; To Bring Forward Section 97-3-97, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Provides Definitions For The Crime Of Sexual Battery; To Bring Forward Section 97-3-101, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Provides The Penalties For The Crime Of Sexual Battery; To Provide Additional Immunity For Any Person Who, In Good Faith, Reports Abuse, Neglect Or Commercial Sexual Exploitation; To Require Any Person Or Entity Who Learns That An Adult Was Abused As A Child By A Person Who Was Or Is Associated With The Person Or Entity; To Provide Immunity To Such Person For Reporting; To Amend Sections 43-21-353 And 97-3-54.1, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide Immunity For The Reporter Of Sexual Abuse Which May Be Incurred As A Result Of Reporting; To Bring Forward Section 97-5-51, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Provides For Mandatory Reporting, For Purposes Of Amendment; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new felony offense for therapists who engage in sexual contact with their patients, defining "therapist" broadly to include various licensed professionals and those who hold themselves out as such, and defining "sexual contact" to encompass a range of physical acts and encouragement of such acts. It also amends existing laws to include "therapist" in the definition of sexual battery when a position of trust is involved, and adds engaging in sexual contact with a patient as grounds for disciplinary action for marriage and family therapists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychologists, and physicians. Furthermore, the bill provides immunity for individuals or entities who in good faith report abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and requires certain individuals or entities who learn of past child abuse by someone associated with them to report it, also granting immunity for such reporting.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1568.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/1500-1599/HB1568IN.htm |
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