📢 New Mississippi Laws Taking Effect July 1, 2025 — What You Should Know
- Trey Spillman
- Jun 23
- 2 min read
Several new laws passed by the Mississippi Legislature will go into effect on July 1, 2025, many of which
impact criminal justice, law enforcement, and justice court proceedings.
Here's a summary of key changes that may be relevant to Rankin County residents in the realm of criminal justice and/or Justice Court:
🔹 HB 724: Makes it a misdemeanor to assist someone with casting an absentee ballot but intentionally fail to turn it in, preventing the vote from being counted. Punishable by up to $1,000 fine and one year in jail.
🔹 HB 1200 – Real Property Owners Protection Act: Establishes a legal process and court form for removing squatters from private property.
🔹 HB 1203: Prohibits camping on public property (e.g., sidewalks, streets, parks). First offense: up to $50 fine.
🔹 SB 2328: Clarifies tenant eviction notices and allows RV park owners to remove individuals for specific reasons, with a defined legal process.
🔹 SB 2482: Provides free access to Mississippi Electronic Court records for public defenders and prosecutors handling cases with indigent defendants.
🔹 SB 2771: Revises permanency hearing timelines in youth court and allows the State Public Defender’s Office to represent juveniles in certain cases.
🔹 HB 565: Requires law enforcement agencies to report to the state board when an officer resigns, is terminated, or leaves due to disciplinary reasons.
🔹 HB 861 – Good Samaritan Reporting Act: Provides legal immunity to individuals who report sexual assaults or help victims during a medical emergency.
🔹 HB 1189: Increases funding for the Victims of Human Trafficking Fund through new mandatory payments upon certain convictions.
🔹 HB 1308: Creates the new felony crime of “grooming” a child for exploitation.
🔹 HB 1338: Impersonating a police officer is now a felony offense in Mississippi.
🔹 HB 1637: Requires restitution to landowners if someone is convicted of trespassing to hunt or fish and illegally harvesting game or fish.
🔹 SB 2200: Adds a criminal fine for anyone convicted of fentanyl delivery resulting in death, in addition to prison time.
🔹 SB 2208: Increases the penalty for making a terroristic threat toward an airport — minimum 5 years in MDOC custody.
🔹 SB 2311: Creates the new crime of mail theft, with defined penalties.
🔹 HB 1459: Allows the Mississippi Supreme Court to appoint judges for the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID).
🔹 HB 2886: Establishes the Mississippi Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team under the Department of Public Safety.
🔹 SB 2210: Updates the calendar for fireworks sales across the state.
For a list of all bills that are becoming law this year, visit:
As your County Prosecuting Attorney, I’m committed to keeping Rankin County informed and safe. Please feel free to reach out with questions about how these new laws may impact you or our community.
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