MS HB520

Amends Mississippi Code Section 97-3-65 to impose the death penalty for statutory rape convictions where the victim is 13 years of age or under and the defendant is 18 years of age or older.

Changes the statutory rape definition for victims under 14 to specify "thirteen (13) years of age or under" instead of the previous "under the age of fourteen (14)".

Replaces life imprisonment sentence with death penalty for defendants 18 years or older convicted under the subsection covering victims 13 years old or under.

Maintains existing sentencing provisions for other statutory rape convictions involving victims 14-15 years old and for juvenile defendants (13-17 years old).

Effective date: July 1, 2013.