Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Sexual Battery
Summary
Mississippi Governor signed HB525 into law on April 6, 2026, amending Section 97-3-101 of the Mississippi Code to establish mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery convictions. The bill passed with strong legislative support (House 112-0, Senate 35-2 on conference report) and applies to all future sexual battery cases in the state.
What changed
HB525 creates a mandatory minimum sentence for sexual battery under Mississippi law, Section 97-3-101. The bill originated in the House Judiciary B Committee, received a Senate Committee substitute, and underwent conference committee reconciliation before final passage. Multiple sponsors from both parties supported the legislation.
Prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys should note that sexual battery convictions will now carry a mandatory minimum penalty, eliminating judicial discretion in sentencing for this offense. Law enforcement agencies will need to ensure charging practices align with the new mandatory minimum framework. The effective date is immediate upon signing.
What to do next
- Review charging practices to ensure alignment with new mandatory minimum sentencing requirements
- Update plea negotiation protocols given mandatory minimum constraints
- Advise clients facing sexual battery charges on mandatory minimum implications
Penalties
Mandatory minimum penalties apply upon conviction for sexual battery under amended Section 97-3-101
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Mississippi / HB525 Signed by Governor HB525 House Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-06
Sexual battery; create a mandatory minimum for penalties.
An Act To Amend Section 97-3-101, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Create A Mandatory Minimum For The Crime Of Sexual Battery; And For Related Purposes.
Bill Details
State Mississippi
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Official Source billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Kimberly Remak (Rep - R) Jeffrey Hulum (Rep - D) Rodney Hall (Rep - R) Doc Harris (Rep - R) Celeste Hurst (Rep - R) Jansen Owen (Rep - R) Dana Underwood McLean (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-04-06 S Enrolled Bill Signed 2026-04-06 H Enrolled Bill Signed 2026-04-01 S Conference Report Adopted 2026-03-31 H Conference Report Adopted 2026-03-30 S Conference Report Filed 2026-03-30 H Conference Report Filed 2026-03-23 S Conferees Named Fillingane,Sparks,Suber 2026-03-23 H Conferees Named Horan,Owen,Burch 2026-03-18 H Decline to Concur/Invite Conf 2026-03-11 S Returned For Concurrence 2026-03-11 S Motion to Reconsider Tabled 2026-03-10 S Motion to Reconsider Entered 2026-03-10 S Passed As Amended 2026-03-10 S Amended 2026-03-03 S Title Suff Do Pass As Amended 2026-02-17 S Referred To Judiciary, Division B 2026-02-12 H Transmitted To Senate 2026-02-11 H Passed 2026-02-11 H Committee Substitute Adopted 2026-02-03 H Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub 2026-01-12 H Referred To Judiciary B
Votes
2026-02-11 House Passed Yea: 114 Nay: 1 2026-03-10 Senate Passed As Amended Yea: 44 Nay: 7 2026-03-31 House Conference Report Adopted Yea: 112 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 Senate Conference Report Adopted Yea: 35 Nay: 2
Committee Referrals
2026-01-12 H Judiciary B 2026-02-17 S Judiciary, Division B
Amendments
0000-00-00 Senate Committee Amendment No 1
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-12 Introduced 2026-02-05 Comm Sub 2026-02-12 Engrossed 2026-04-06 Enrolled Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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