Enhanced penalties for crimes against certain persons; include certain CPS employees.

Stronger penalties for targeting first responders and child protection staff

Beginning July 1, 2026, crimes that target someone because of their job as a police officer, firefighter, EMT, or child protection worker get harsher sentences. This applies to any felony or misdemeanor when the attacker acted with that specific intent. The law keeps hate-crime protections based on race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or gender. Covered workers include part-time officers, trainees, reserves and volunteers, and federal officers who do arrests, searches, warrants, or inmate custody. It also covers volunteer firefighters; EMTs qualified under state law; and Mississippi Child Protection Services staff in the Social Services Occupational Group.