MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B; Workforce Development

By: Representatives Anderson, Clarke

House Bill 596

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-9-149, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT PERSONS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT IN STATE SERVICE, OR PERSONS EMPLOYED IN STATE SERVICE, FROM BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY; TO AMEND SECTION 97-29-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 25-9-149, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     25-9-149.  It is the intent of the Legislature that no person seeking employment in state service, as defined in Section 25-9-107, * * *Mississippi Code of 1972, or employed in state service, as defined in Section 25-9-107, * * *Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or handicap.  This section shall be exempt from the provisions of Sections 11-62-1 through 11-62-19.

     SECTION 2.  Section 97-29-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     97-29-59.  Every person who shall be convicted of the detestable and abominable crime against nature committed * * *with mankind or with a beast, shall be punished by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term of not more than ten (10) years.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.