MS SB2023

Amends Mississippi Code Section 97-3-65 to require that a person "knowing that a child is underage" commit the offense of statutory rape, establishing knowledge as a required element of the crime.

Applies knowledge requirement to both subsections: persons age 17+ with children ages 14-15 (at least 36 months younger), and persons of any age with children under 14 (at least 24 months younger).

Maintains existing sentencing structures ranging from up to 5 years imprisonment for offenders ages 18-20, to up to 30-40 years for offenders 21+, to life imprisonment for offenders 18+ convicted under the under-14 provision.

Establishes criminal sexual assault protection orders issued by courts upon conviction, entered into the Mississippi Protection Order Registry within 24 hours, lasting minimum 2 years after sentence completion.

Creates misdemeanor offense for violating protection orders, punishable by up to $500 fine or 6 months county jail, with sentences running consecutively to other penalties.