HB1025 • 2026

False allegations of hate crime; provide penalties for.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT WILLFUL FALSE ALLEGATIONS THAT A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR WAS COMMITTED BECAUSE OF THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, ANCESTRY, ETHNICITY, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR GENDER OF ANY PERSON SHALL BE UNLAWFUL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Ladner
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Penalties for False Hate Crime Reports

This bill makes it illegal to falsely report a crime as motivated by hate based on someone's race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender.

What This Bill Does

Makes it against the law to say that a felony or misdemeanor was committed because of someone’s race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or gender if you know it is not true.
Says anyone who breaks this rule can be charged with a felony and sent to prison for 1 to 5 years.
Requires people found guilty to pay at least $5,000 in fines plus extra costs like attorney fees and court fees.

Who It Names or Affects

People who falsely report crimes as hate crimes based on someone’s race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or gender.
Courts that will handle cases where people are charged with making false reports.

Terms To Know

Felony: A serious crime that can lead to a prison sentence of more than one year.
Misdemeanor: A less serious crime that usually results in fines or shorter jail time.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was stopped by a committee, so it does not have any legal effect.
It is unclear how many false hate crime reports are made each year.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/16 (H) Referred To Judiciary B

Official Summary Text

False allegations of hate crime; provide penalties for.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 1025 *HR43/R578* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R578
PAGE 1 (GT\KP)

To: Judiciary B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Ladner

HOUSE BILL NO. 1025

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT WILLFUL FALSE ALLEGATIONS THAT A 1
FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR WAS COMMITTED BECAUSE OF THE ACTUAL OR 2
PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, ANCESTRY, ETHNICITY, RELIGION, NATIONAL 3
ORIGIN OR GENDER OF ANY PERSON SHALL BE UNLAWFUL; AND FOR RELATED 4
PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully 7
and knowingly make false allegations that a felony or misdemeanor 8
crime was committed because of the actual or perceived race, 9
color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of 10
any person. Any person who violates the provisions of this 11
section shall be guilty of a felony, and upon conviction, shall be 12
imprisoned in the custody of the Department of Corrections for no 13
less than one (1) year, no more than five (5) years, fined no less 14
than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) plus any additional amounts 15
for attorney's fees, costs for law enforcement compensation, court 16
costs and/or court fees created or caused as a result of the 17
allegations. 18
H. B. No. 1025 *HR43/R578* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R578
PAGE 2 (GT\KP)
ST: False allegations of hate crime; provide
penalties for.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 19
and after July 1, 2026. 20