MS SB2028

Adds requirement that defendant must knowingly and willfully commit statutory rape, with "knowing that a child is underage" language added to both subsection (1)(a) and (1)(b) of Section 97-3-65

Maintains existing age and age-gap requirements: offender 17+ years old with victim 14-16 years old (36+ months younger), or any age offender with victim under 14 years old (24+ months younger)

Updates sentencing language to reference "custody of the Department of Corrections" instead of "State Penitentiary" throughout the statute

Preserves existing sentencing ranges: up to 5 years for offenders 18-21 convicted under subsection (1)(a); up to 30 years for offenders 21+ on first offense or 40 years on subsequent offenses; life imprisonment for offenders 18+ convicted under subsection (1)(b)

Takes effect upon passage