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MississippiHB 11312026 Regular SessionHouse

Prostitution; revise penalties for procurement of.

Sponsored By: Angela Turner Ford (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary BJudiciary, Division B

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Harsher penalties for buying sex

Beginning July 1, 2026, buying sex faces stronger penalties. A first conviction can bring up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in county jail, and 100 hours of community service. A second or later conviction is a felony with up to a $2,000 fine, up to two years in prison, and 100 hours of community service. If the person is under 18, it is a felony with five to thirty years in prison and a $50,000 to $500,000 fine. A minor’s consent is not a defense.

Tougher penalties for promoting prostitution

Beginning July 1, 2026, promoting prostitution faces much tougher penalties. Acts include recruiting or coercing people, running places or vehicles used for prostitution, handling earnings, or directing or transporting people for sex. A first conviction can mean up to a $5,000 fine or up to ten years in prison, or both. A repeat conviction can mean up to a $20,000 fine or up to twenty years, or both. If the person involved is under 18, penalties rise to five to thirty years in prison and a $50,000 to $500,000 fine. The law does not require proof that you knew the person’s age, and a minor’s consent is not a defense. Businesses can be fined up to $50,000, or up to $1,000,000 if a minor is involved. These cases can also be charged under other crimes, including human trafficking.

Support for trafficked people; minors immune

Beginning July 1, 2026, if someone charged with promoting prostitution is a trafficked person, prosecutors must treat that as a mitigating factor and refer them to services. If the person is under 18 and meets the trafficking definition, the minor is immune from prosecution for promoting prostitution in juvenile or adult court.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Angela Turner Ford

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 158 • No: 13

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Passed

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2026

Passed

Yes: 106 • No: 13

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/17/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/10/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/10/2026House

  4. Returned For Enrolling

    3/9/2026Senate

  5. Passed

    3/5/2026Senate

  6. Title Suff Do Pass

    3/3/2026Senate

  7. Referred To Judiciary, Division B

    2/17/2026Senate

  8. Transmitted To Senate

    2/13/2026House

  9. Passed

    2/12/2026House

  10. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/12/2026House

  11. Read the Third Time

    2/11/2026House

  12. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/3/2026House

  13. Referred To Judiciary B

    1/19/2026House

Bill Text

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