MS SB2222

Amends Mississippi Code Section 97-3-65 to require that a person knowingly act with awareness that a child is underage to be convicted of statutory rape.

Applies the knowledge requirement to both subsection (1)(a) (persons 17 or older with children 14-15 years old, at least 36 months younger) and subsection (1)(b) (persons of any age with children under 14 years old, at least 24 months younger).

Maintains existing sentencing provisions ranging from up to 5 years imprisonment for offenders 18-20 years old, up to 40 years for offenders 21 or older on subsequent offenses, and life imprisonment for offenses against children under 14 years old.

Preserves existing defenses and provisions including that victim consent and lack of chastity are not valid defenses, and clarifies the definition of sexual intercourse.

Takes effect upon passage.