MS HB1445

Amends Section 99-39-5 of the Mississippi Code to clarify that claims affecting fundamental constitutional rights are an exception to the statutory bars for post-conviction relief motions.

Allows individuals sentenced by Mississippi courts to file motions to vacate, set aside, or correct judgments based on violations of constitutional rights, lack of jurisdiction, unconstitutional statutes, excessive sentences, newly discovered evidence, or DNA testing grounds.

Specifies that fundamental constitutional right violations are explicitly recognized as an exception to the three-year statute of limitations for post-conviction relief filings.

Defines "biological evidence" as sexual assault examination kit contents and any material containing blood, semen, hair, saliva, skin tissue, or other identifiable biological material collected during criminal investigation.

Takes effect July 1, 2025.