MS HB755

Adds a new exception to statutory rape charges under Mississippi Code Section 97-3-65 when both parties are in a consensual relationship and enrolled as secondary school students (grades 7-12) at the time of the offense.

Establishes a rebuttable presumption that statutory rape is not committed if both persons prove by preponderance of evidence they were in a consensual relationship and both were secondary school students at the time of the alleged offense.

Maintains existing statutory rape penalties and sentencing guidelines, including life imprisonment for offenses involving children under 14 years old and age-based sentencing tiers for older perpetrators.

Preserves criminal sexual assault protection order provisions, requiring courts to issue orders prohibiting contact between offender and victim for a minimum of two years after sentence completion.

Takes effect July 1, 2025.