Read the full stored bill text
H. B. No. 532 *HR26/R18* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R18
PAGE 1 (DJ\KW)
To: Judiciary B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Remak, Harris
HOUSE BILL NO. 532
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-35-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR FALSE REPORTING OF A CRIME INVOLVING 2
THREATS OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ELEMENTARY OR 3
SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; AND 4
FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. Section 97-35-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 7
amended as follows: 8
97-35-47. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to report 9
a crime or any element of a crime, including an allegation of 10
child abuse or neglect, to any law enforcement agency or officer, 11
the Department of Child Protection Services, or any officer of any 12
court, by any means, knowing that the report is false. A 13
violation of this section shall be punishable by imprisonment in 14
the county jail not to exceed one (1) year or by fine not to 15
exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both. In addition to 16
any fine and imprisonment, and upon proper showing made to the 17
court, the defendant shall be ordered to pay as restitution to the 18
law enforcement agency reimbursement for any reasonable costs 19
H. B. No. 532 *HR26/R18* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R18
PAGE 2 (DJ\KW)
directly related to the investigation of the falsely reported 20
crime and the prosecution of any person convicted under this 21
section. 22
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to make a false 23
report of a crime, any element of a crime or of an emergency 24
involving a public or private elementary or secondary school or 25
public or private postsecondary educational institution, which 26
intentionally, knowingly or recklessly interferes with or disrupts 27
the normal operations of any such school or educational 28
institution. A violation of this section shall be punishable as 29
follows: 30
(a) If the alleged defendant is of the age of majority, 31
by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed five (5) years or 32
by fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both; 33
or 34
(b) (i) If the alleged defendant is a minor, not 35
having yet attained the age of majority, the youth court shall 36
impose: 37
1. A minimum of one hundred twenty (120) 38
hours of community service; 39
2. A fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars 40
($10,000.00); or 41
3. Both community service and fine as 42
prescribed within the limits of items 1 and 2 of this subparagraph 43
(i); and 44
H. B. No. 532 *HR26/R18* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R18
PAGE 3 (DJ\KW)
ST: False reporting of crimes against schools;
prescribe penalties to be imposed upon minor
defendants.
(ii) If the adjudicated minor defendant violates 45
the terms of the sentence imposed by the youth court under 46
subparagraph (i), the court shall order the minor in contempt, and 47
shall reprimand the minor to a juvenile detention facility for a 48
minimum of ten (10) days, but not to exceed fifteen (15) days. 49
(c) In addition to any community service, fine and 50
subsequent juvenile detention, and upon proper showing made to the 51
court, the minor defendant may be ordered to pay as restitution to 52
the law enforcement agency reimbursement for any reasonable costs 53
directly related to the investigation of the falsely reported 54
crime and the prosecution of any person convicted under this 55
section. 56
(3) A report is false under this section when it is 57
unsupported by any credible evidence and the person intentionally 58
submitted the report knowing it was false. 59
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 60
and after July 1, 2026. 61