A new law in Mississippi, set to take effect on July 1, will classify the grooming of a child as a criminal offense. This legislative move aims to protect children from inappropriate relationships by addressing concerning patterns of behavior before they escalate.
The law, House Bill 1308, defines child grooming as a series of messages or conduct that a reasonable adult would recognize as inappropriate, distinguishing it from ordinary communication between teachers and students. Senator Joey Fillingane, a key proponent of the bill, emphasized that the legislation targets the repetitive sending of suggestive messages intended to lead to inappropriate encounters or relationships.
Previously, Mississippi law did not specifically prohibit such behavior, prompting the Attorney General’s office to advocate for this legal measure following several incidents involving inappropriate messaging by teachers and coaches.
The legislation applies to children aged 15 and under, with perpetrators being at least 21 years old, except in cases where they hold positions of authority, such as youth pastors, where the minimum age is 18. The bill aims to protect young individuals while considering the nature of appropriate adult-child interactions.
Senator Fillingane noted that the bill’s language was carefully crafted to avoid criminalizing interactions that might occur in settings like colleges, where communication may differ from that with younger teens. The intent is to safeguard vulnerable populations without entrapment or misuse of the law by authorities.
Importantly, those convicted under this law will not be required to register as sex offenders, as the legislation addresses non-physical conduct.
