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MississippiHB 15462026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Human Trafficking; exclude from expungement felony violations of.

Sponsored By: Dana McLean (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary BJudiciary, Division B

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

More money back for trafficking victims

Victims of trafficking can sue and get three times their actual money losses. They may also get punitive damages, attorney fees, and investigation and court costs. Courts must also order offenders to pay the full amount of the victim’s financial losses as restitution, even if the victim is not present. These remedies apply starting July 1, 2026.

Record clearing and defenses for survivors

If your misdemeanor or non-violent felony happened because you were trafficked, you can ask the court at any time to expunge it or to vacate the conviction. The judge uses a more-likely-than-not standard; official agency papers create a presumption but are not required. You can also raise an affirmative defense if you were a trafficked person or acted under a reasonable fear of serious harm. These protections start July 1, 2026.

Heavy penalties for trafficking businesses

The state can charge a business when an employee commits trafficking on the job or as part of a pattern the company knew about or ignored. Courts can fine up to $1,000,000, force profit payback, bar government contracts, dissolve the company, or pull state licenses when managers allowed the crimes and the public interest requires it. A company can defend itself by showing it had adequate prevention steps. Courts must protect victims’ rights before some orders. These rules start July 1, 2026.

Trafficked children are not prosecuted

A minor who is identified as a trafficking victim is not criminally responsible for crimes done during the trafficking that were a direct result of it. This protection does not cover DUI or crimes of violence. It begins July 1, 2026.

Tougher prison terms for traffickers

The law defines trafficking crimes and sets tougher punishments. For adult victims, prison is 2 to 20 years and fines are $10,000 to $100,000. For minors, prison is 20 years to life and fines are $20,000 to $100,000. Procuring sexual servitude of a minor carries 20 years to life and fines of $50,000 to $500,000. These penalties apply starting July 1, 2026.

Faster expungement, new felony exceptions

If you finished your sentence and paid all fines and costs, you can ask to expunge one felony after three years. Convictions from the same event count as one. Felony procuring prostitution and promoting prostitution cannot be expunged. These rules start July 1, 2026.

Report suspected child trafficking immediately

If you reasonably suspect someone under 18 is being trafficked, you must report it right away to Child Protection Services and the Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator. The agency must notify local police and start an initial investigation. Agencies send yearly reports on these cases to state leaders. This duty starts July 1, 2026.

Victim privacy and fair trial protections

Law enforcement and prosecutors must try to keep trafficking victims’ and their families’ names and identifying details private. In cases with evidence of sexual servitude, courts block reputation or opinion evidence about the victim’s past sexual behavior unless allowed by the state’s evidence rules. These protections take effect July 1, 2026.

All changes start July 1, 2026

All changes in this act take effect July 1, 2026. Unless a part says a different date, the rules apply from then.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dana McLean

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Hale

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 280 • No: 5

House vote • 3/18/2026

Concurred in Amend From Senate

Yes: 110 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 50 • No: 1

House vote • 2/11/2026

Passed

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/30/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/24/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/23/2026House

  4. Concurred in Amend From Senate

    3/18/2026House

  5. Returned For Concurrence

    3/5/2026Senate

  6. Passed As Amended

    3/4/2026Senate

  7. Amended

    3/4/2026Senate

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/3/2026Senate

  9. Referred To Judiciary, Division B

    2/17/2026Senate

  10. Transmitted To Senate

    2/12/2026House

  11. Passed

    2/11/2026House

  12. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/11/2026House

  13. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/3/2026House

  14. Referred To Judiciary B

    1/19/2026House

Bill Text

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