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MississippiHB 13082025 Regular SessionHouse

Grooming of a child; establish as a criminal offense.

Sponsored By: Jansen T. Owen (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary BJudiciary, Division B

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Broader child protections against sexual exploitation

Mississippi broadens several existing child-exploitation provisions, separate from the new grooming crime. These provisions define a child as anyone under 18, without requiring the child to be identifiable. Covered morphed images also no longer need to appear to depict an identifiable minor.

New felony penalties for child grooming

Mississippi creates a child-grooming felony covering children under 16. The general offense applies to people over 21 who knowingly use a pattern of conduct or communication for sexual exploitation. It covers gaining access to or compliance from a child, or preparing, persuading, inducing, or coercing the child. The purpose must involve sexually explicit conduct, human trafficking, or sexual servitude, including commercial sexual activity or producing sexual material. Contact can happen in person, through another person, electronically, or by any other means. The general penalty is 2–10 years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both. The trust-or-authority penalty applies to offenders age 18 or older: 5–10 years, up to $20,000, or both. Covered roles include parents, guardians, relatives, teachers, counselors, health professionals, clergy, scout leaders, and coaches. Repeat offenders and registered sex offenders committing a first grooming offense face 10–20 years, up to $30,000, or both. No completed sexual conduct, trafficking, or sexual servitude is needed, and prosecutors can also bring charges under other criminal laws. Cases can be brought where an act furthered the offense, the device established a signal, or the child was located. Collected fines go to the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund; no revenue amount is specified.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jansen T. Owen

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Rodney Hall

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 314 • No: 4

House vote • 4/1/2025

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 104 • No: 3 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/13/2025

Passed

Yes: 110 • No: 1 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/17/2025legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/7/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/7/2025House

  4. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    4/2/2025House

  5. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Horan, Owen)

    4/1/2025House

  6. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2025Senate

  7. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2025House

  8. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2025House

  9. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2025Senate

  10. Conferees Named Fillingane,DeBar,McCaughn

    3/20/2025Senate

  11. Conferees Named Horan,Owen,Hall

    3/18/2025House

  12. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/17/2025House

  13. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2025Senate

  14. Passed As Amended

    3/11/2025Senate

  15. Amended

    3/11/2025Senate

  16. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/4/2025Senate

  17. Referred To Judiciary, Division B

    2/14/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted To Senate

    2/14/2025House

  19. Passed

    2/13/2025House

  20. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/13/2025House

  21. Read the Third Time

    2/12/2025House

  22. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/4/2025House

  23. Referred To Judiciary B

    1/20/2025House

Bill Text

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