HB855 • 2026

Abortion; repeal prohibition of.

AN ACT TO REPEAL SECTION 41-41-45, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROHIBITS ABORTION EXCEPT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE MOTHER'S LIFE OR WHERE THE PREGNANCY IS CAUSED BY RAPE; TO REPEAL SECTION 97-3-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES A FELONY CRIME FOR ANY PERSON WHO WILLFULLY AND KNOWINGLY CAUSES ANY PREGNANT WOMAN TO ABORT OR MISCARRY A CHILD; TO REPEAL SECTION 97-3-4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES A FELONY CRIME FOR ALLOWING A CHILD DELIVERED IN FAILED ABORTION TO DIE; TO REPEAL SECTION 97-3-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES A MISDEMEANOR CRIME FOR ANY PERSON WHO PROVIDES AN INSTRUMENT OR MEDICINE TO ASSIST A WOMAN IN OBTAINING AN ABORTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Abortion Crime Healthcare

Did Not Pass

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on the impact of removing these specific laws, leaving some uncertainty regarding future regulations and access to abortion services in Mississippi.

Repealing Abortion Restrictions

This bill removes specific laws that restrict abortion in Mississippi.

What This Bill Does

Removes a law that only allowed abortions to save the mother's life or if she was raped.
Gets rid of a rule making it illegal for someone to cause a pregnant woman to have an abortion or miscarriage.
Eliminates a punishment for letting a baby born during a failed abortion die.
Removes rules against giving instruments or medicine that help with abortions.

Who It Names or Affects

Pregnant women in Mississippi
Doctors and clinics providing medical care

Terms To Know

Repeal: To cancel or remove a law
Felony: A serious crime that can lead to prison time

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee.
It is unclear how repealing these laws will affect abortion access or regulations.

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;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

Official Summary Text

Abortion; repeal prohibition of.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 855 *HR26/R988* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R988
PAGE 1 (GT\KW)

To: Judiciary B;
Accountability, Efficiency,
Transparency
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Banks

HOUSE BILL NO. 855

AN ACT TO REPEAL SECTION 41-41-45, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
WHICH PROHIBITS ABORTION EXCEPT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE 2
MOTHER'S LIFE OR WHERE THE PREGNANCY IS CAUSED BY RAPE; TO REPEAL 3
SECTION 97-3-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES A FELONY 4
CRIME FOR ANY PERSON WHO WILLFULLY AND KNOWINGLY CAUSES ANY 5
PREGNANT WOMAN TO ABORT OR MISCARRY A CHILD; TO REPEAL SECTION 6
97-3-4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES A FELONY CRIME FOR 7
ALLOWING A CHILD DELIVERED IN FAILED ABORTION TO DIE; TO REPEAL 8
SECTION 97-3-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES A 9
MISDEMEANOR CRIME FOR ANY PERSON WHO PROVIDES AN INSTRUMENT OR 10
MEDICINE TO ASSIST A WOMAN IN OBTAINING AN ABORTION; AND FOR 11
RELATED PURPOSES. 12
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 13
SECTION 1. Section 41-41-45, which prohibits abortion except 14
for the preservation of the mother's life or where the pregnancy 15
is caused by rape, is repealed. 16
SECTION 2. Section 97-3-3, which creates a felony crime for 17
any person who willfully and knowingly causes any pregnant woman 18
to abort or miscarry a child, is repealed. 19
SECTION 3. Section 97-3-4, which creates a felony crime for 20
allowing a child delivered in failed abortion to die, is repealed. 21
H. B. No. 855 *HR26/R988* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R988
PAGE 2 (GT\KW)
ST: Abortion; repeal prohibition of.
SECTION 4. Section 97-3-5, which creates a misdemeanor crime 22
for any person who provides an instrument or medicine to assist a 23
woman in obtaining an abortion, is repealed. 24
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from 25
and after July 1, 2026. 26