HB 1084 Summary

• Requires courts to conduct a preliminary hearing upon conviction of rape or sexual battery to determine if a child could have been conceived from the offense, and if so, transfer case information to chancery court.

• Mandates chancery court to use genetic testing to determine if a child was conceived as a result of rape or sexual battery, and if confirmed, terminate the parental rights of the convicted parent.

• Allows courts to order the convicted parent to pay reasonable expenses related to pregnancy, labor, delivery, and child care, or pay child support.

• Provides that children conceived from rape retain inheritance rights from the convicted parent but prevents the convicted parent and their relatives from inheriting from the child or through intestate succession.

• Applies to rape and sexual battery convictions under Mississippi Code Sections 97-3-65 and 97-3-101, effective July 1, 2018.