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MississippiHB 15772026 Regular SessionHouse

Child abuse; clarify willful false claims of.

Sponsored By: Kevin Felsher (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary BJudiciary, Division B

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Penalties for knowingly false reports

Beginning July 1, 2026, knowingly filing a false crime report, including a child abuse or neglect report, is unlawful. A report counts as willfully false when it lacks credible evidence and the person knows it is false. The person can face up to $5,000 in fines, up to one year in jail, or both. A court must order repayment of proven, reasonable investigation and prosecution costs for a false crime report; for a willfully false child-abuse report, it may order proven, reasonable investigation costs. Good-faith reporters and participants are protected from liability, and reasonable reliance on credible information is a defense.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kevin Felsher

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 286 • No: 2

House vote • 3/18/2026

Concurred in Amend From Senate

Yes: 120 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 47 • No: 2 • Other: 2

House vote • 2/12/2026

Passed

Yes: 119 • 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

    3/6/2026Senate

  6. Passed As Amended

    3/4/2026Senate

  7. Amended

    3/4/2026Senate

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    2/25/2026Senate

  9. Referred To Judiciary, Division B

    2/17/2026Senate

  10. Transmitted To Senate

    2/13/2026House

  11. Passed

    2/12/2026House

  12. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/12/2026House

  13. Read the Third Time

    2/11/2026House

  14. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/3/2026House

  15. Referred To Judiciary B

    1/19/2026House

Bill Text

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