Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB1294: Grooming; revise age of child when person is in a position of trust.
Status: Failed, March 3, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-5-32, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AGE FOR THE CRIMES OF CHILD GROOMING AND SEXUAL BATTERY OF A CHILD FOR PERSONS IN A POSITION OF TRUST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 97-5-32, mississippi code of 1972, to revise the age for the crimes of child grooming and sexual battery of a child for persons in a position of trust; and for related purposes.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-5-32, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AGE FOR THE CRIMES OF CHILD GROOMING AND SEXUAL BATTERY OF A CHILD FOR PERSONS IN A POSITION OF TRUST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 97-5-32, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 97-5-32. (1) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed: (a) "Electronic device" means any device used for the purpose of communicating with a child for sexual purposes or any device used to visually depict a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct, store any image or audio of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct, or transmit any audio or visual image of a child for sexual purposes. Such term may include, but shall not be limited to, a computer, cellular phone, thumb drive, video game system, or any other electronic device that can be used in furtherance of exploiting a child for sexual purposes. *HR43/R1666CS* H. B. No. 1294 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR43/R1666CS PAGE 1 (GT\KP) (b) "Pattern of conduct or communication" means a pattern of conduct or communication that would cause a reasonable adult person to believe that the person is communicating with a child with the purpose to entice, coerce, …
Sponsors
- Owen, Jansen T. (R, 106) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Died In Committee
- : Referred To Judiciary, Division B
- : Transmitted To Senate
- : Passed
- : Committee Substitute Adopted
- : Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub
- : Referred To Judiciary B
Votes
- Passed (February 5, 2026): 120 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Grooming
Common questions
- What is HB1294?
- HB1294 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Grooming; revise age of child when person is in a position of trust.
- What does HB1294 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend section 97-5-32, mississippi code of 1972, to revise the age for the crimes of child grooming and sexual battery of a child for persons in a position of trust; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB1294?
- Failed as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (March 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1294?
- Owen, Jansen T. (R, 106).
- Where is the official record for HB1294?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1294.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.