Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB1003: Crimes of exposing another to contagious diseases and endangerment by bodily substance; revise elements and penalties.
Status: Failed, February 3, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-27-14, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CRIME OF CAUSING EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN CONTAGIOUS DISEASES TO INTENTIONAL TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES; TO ESTABLISH DEFENSES TO PROSECUTION; TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR PERSONS GUILTY OF COMMITTING THE CRIMES OF INTENTIONAL TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND ENDANGERMENT BY BODILY SUBSTANCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 97-27-14, mississippi code of 1972, to revise the crime of causing exposure to certain contagious diseases to intentional transmission of infectious diseases; to establish defenses to prosecution; to revise the penalties for persons guilty of committing the crimes of intentional transmission of infectious diseases and endangerment by bodily substance; and for related purposes.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-27-14, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CRIME OF CAUSING EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN CONTAGIOUS DISEASES TO INTENTIONAL TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES; TO ESTABLISH DEFENSES TO PROSECUTION; TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR PERSONS GUILTY OF COMMITTING THE CRIMES OF INTENTIONAL TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND ENDANGERMENT BY BODILY SUBSTANCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 97-27-14, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 97-27-14. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to * * * act with the specific intent to transmit an infectious disease to another person * * * through an activity that creates a substantial risk of transmission and transmits an infectious disease to another person. (2) It is a defense to prosecution under this section if: (a) The person who acquired the infectious disease knew of the defendant's positive status before engaging in the conduct that posed a substantial risk of transmission; or *HR31/R307* H. B. No. 1003 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR31/R307 PAGE 1 (GT\JAB) (b) The infectious disease was not transmitted to the person; or (c) The person took or attempted to take means to prevent transmission of the infectious disease. (3) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings ascribed …
Sponsors
- Butler-Washington, Grace (D, 69) · primary sponsor
- Justis Gibbs (D, 72)
- Nelson, Fabian (D, 66)
- Kenji Holloway (D, 27)
- Anthony, Otis (D, 31)
Latest actions
- : Died In Committee
- : Referred To Judiciary B
Common questions
- What is HB1003?
- HB1003 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Crimes of exposing another to contagious diseases and endangerment by bodily substance; revise elements and penalties.
- What does HB1003 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend section 97-27-14, mississippi code of 1972, to revise the crime of causing exposure to certain contagious diseases to intentional transmission of infectious diseases; to establish defenses to prosecution; to revise the penalties for persons guilty of committing the crimes of intentional transmission of infectious diseases and endangerment by bodily substance; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB1003?
- Failed as of February 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (February 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1003?
- Butler-Washington, Grace (D, 69), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1003?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1003.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.