HB998 • 2026

Registered sex offenders; require those who are business owners to alert public of ownership.

AN ACT TO CREATE SECTION 45-33-50, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ANY BUSINESS OWNER WHO IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER TO POST A CLEAR AND VISIBLE SIGN OUTSIDE OF THE BUSINESS THAT SUCH BUSINESS IS OWNED BY A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER; TO REQUIRE THE SIGN TO BE POSTED IN A LOCATION THAT IS VISIBLE TO ALL PERSONS UPON ENTERING THE BUSINESS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime

Did Not Pass

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

Sponsor: Shanks
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.

Business Owners Who Are Registered Sex Offenders Must Post Signs

This bill requires business owners who are registered sex offenders to put up clear signs outside their businesses stating that the owner is a registered sex offender.

What This Bill Does

Requires business owners who are registered sex offenders to post a sign outside their business.
The sign must be visible from the entrance of the business.
All wording on the sign shall be at least eighteen inches font height and bold.

Who It Names or Affects

Business owners who are required to register as sex offenders
People entering businesses owned by registered sex offenders

Terms To Know

Registered Sex Offender: A person convicted of a sexual crime and legally required to report their identity and whereabouts to authorities.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass in the session it was introduced.
It is unclear how many business owners are registered sex offenders.

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 Business and Commerce;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

Official Summary Text

Registered sex offenders; require those who are business owners to alert public of ownership.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 998 *HR43/R1342* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1342
PAGE 1 (GT\KP)
ST: Registered sex offenders; require those who
are business owners to alert public of
ownership.
To: Business and Commerce;
Accountability, Efficiency,
Transparency
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Shanks

HOUSE BILL NO. 998

AN ACT TO CREATE SECTION 45-33-50, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO REQUIRE ANY BUSINESS OWNER WHO IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX 2
OFFENDER TO POST A CLEAR AND VISIBLE SIGN OUTSIDE OF THE BUSINESS 3
THAT SUCH BUSINESS IS OWNED BY A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER; TO 4
REQUIRE THE SIGN TO BE POSTED IN A LOCATION THAT IS VISIBLE TO ALL 5
PERSONS UPON ENTERING THE BUSINESS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. This section shall be codified as Section 8
45-33-50, Mississippi Code of 1972, as follows: 9
45-33-50. (1) A person convicted of a sex offense who owns 10
or manages a business that provides services to the public shall 11
post a clear and visible sign on the outside of the business in a 12
location that can be seen by any person upon entering the 13
business. All wording on the sign shall be a minimum of eighteen 14
(18) inches font height and bold. 15
(2) This section applies to all registered sex offenders 16
regardless of the date of conviction. 17
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 18
and after July 1, 2026. 19