MississippiHB 3772026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

The Missing Persons Reporting and Identification Act; create to require input of missing persons in NamUs.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Set pay for county medical examiners

Beginning July 1, 2026, chiefs get at least $300 and up to $1,250 per month, and deputies at least $300 and up to $900, in addition to fees. The chief must ensure 24-hour investigator coverage and keep records for five years.

Faster missing person reports and updates

Beginning July 1, 2026, police must enter credible missing or unidentified person cases in NamUs within 10 days. Agencies cannot delay taking reports or require a next of kin to appear. For missing children, entry is immediate with no waiting period. Agencies that get a case from others must keep and share the record. When someone is found or identified, the State Medical Examiner updates NamUs within five days.

More ID data in NamUs

Beginning July 1, 2026, police must collect available medical and dental records, X-rays, and other imaging for missing cases and enter them in NamUs. They must try to find and submit fingerprints. They must seek voluntary family DNA using CODIS-approved kits, and the State Medical Examiner handles lab testing and NDIS upload. These records are confidential and not for public release.

Penalties for tampering with remains

Beginning July 1, 2026, willfully moving, hiding, or distributing a body is a misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine or six months in jail. Willfully destroying a body or unidentified remains is a felony with up to a $5,000 fine or two years in prison.

Stronger rules for unidentified remains

Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Medical Examiner must run forensic genetic genealogy DNA tests after remains are in custody 45 days. Anyone who gets unidentified remains must send them to the State Medical Examiner right away and may not cremate or embalm them. County investigators must enter unclaimed remains into NamUs within five days after identification, and no later than 15 days after death. The law clarifies that unidentified remains do not include remains that are clearly archaeological.

Required training on missing persons

Beginning July 1, 2026, officers in field or investigative roles must complete at least two hours of training on missing and unidentified persons. This is part of the minimum curriculum for certification and ongoing standards.

Counties pay autopsy transport costs

Beginning July 1, 2026, when a medical examiner authorizes an autopsy, the county pays to transport the body directly to the autopsy site. Counties may contract for transport or use county vehicles.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jay McKnight
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Fred Shanks
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 343 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 52 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2026

Passed