Sexual Battery Mandatory Minimum Penalties
Summary
Mississippi HB525 passed the legislature on April 1, 2026, amending Section 97-3-101 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to create mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery. The bill received strong legislative support, passing the House 114-1 and Senate 44-7, with final conference report adoption. This marks a significant shift in sentencing policy for sexual battery convictions in Mississippi.
What changed
Mississippi HB525 amends Section 97-3-101 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to establish mandatory minimum sentences for sexual battery offenses. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Remak, Hulum, Hall, Harris, Hurst, Owen, and Underwood McLean, cleared both chambers and conference committee before final passage on April 1, 2026. The legislation removes judicial discretion in sentencing for this crime, replacing potentially variable sentences with statutory minimums.
Criminal defense attorneys should immediately review the new mandatory minimum provisions with clients facing sexual battery charges, as sentencing exposure may have increased. Prosecutors should assess how the mandatory minimums affect charging decisions and plea negotiations. Courts and correctional systems should prepare for implementation as the effective date approaches, as these changes will affect docket management and incarceration terms for future convictions.
What to do next
- Review new mandatory minimum sentencing requirements under amended Section 97-3-101
- Assess impact on pending sexual battery cases and active defense strategies
- Update compliance procedures for sexual battery prosecutions
Penalties
Mandatory minimum imprisonment terms for sexual battery convictions - specific duration not detailed in document
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Mississippi / HB525 Passed HB525 House Bill Passed 2026-02-11
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
2026-04-01 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 Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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