MS HB1478

Employers may seek civil remedies including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions if an employer, employee, or group of employees has suffered unlawful conduct and the employer reasonably believes further unlawful conduct may occur at the workplace.

"Unlawful conduct" includes assault, rape, sexual battery, stalking, cyberstalking, or credible threats of violence, and does not require arrest or conviction.

Courts may order respondents to cease contact, harassment, and stalking; refrain from visiting the workplace; cease all communications; and pay costs, filing fees, and reasonable attorney's fees.

Violations of issued orders constitute a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both, and may be enforced as contempt of court statewide.

The act does not restrict constitutionally protected activity or prevent parties from seeking other available civil or criminal remedies, and takes effect July 1, 2013.