MS HB1348

Amends Section 97-27-14 to make it unlawful for any person to knowingly expose another person to HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C, with prior knowledge and willing consent serving as a defense; violators face felony charges.

Creates the crime of endangerment by bodily substance when a person attempts to cause or knowingly causes a corrections employee, facility visitor, prisoner, or offender to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, urine, feces, or saliva.

Classifies endangerment by bodily substance as a misdemeanor unless the person knows they are infected with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C and the exposure involves blood or seminal fluid, in which case it becomes a felony.

Establishes penalties of 3-10 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 fine for felony violations, and up to 1 year county jail time and up to $1,000 fine for misdemeanor violations.

Takes effect July 1, 2017.