HB 1498

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 97-3-102, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A CRIME FOR A THERAPIST WHO ENGAGES IN SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A PATIENT; TO AMEND SECTION 97-3-95, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE THE TERM "THERAPIST" IN THE PROVISION OF LAW THAT REGULATES THE CRIME OF SEXUAL BATTERY; TO AMEND SECTION 73-54-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A PATIENT TO THE GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-53-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A PATIENT TO THE GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION OF SOCIAL WORKERS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-30-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A PATIENT TO THE GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION OF LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-31-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A PATIENT TO THE GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION OF PSYCHOLOGISTS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-25-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A PATIENT TO THE GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION OF PHYSICIANS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 97-3-97, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES DEFINITIONS FOR THE CRIME OF SEXUAL BATTERY; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 97-3-101, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THE PENALTIES FOR THE CRIME OF SEXUAL BATTERY; TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL IMMUNITY FOR ANY PERSON WHO, IN GOOD FAITH, REPORTS ABUSE, NEGLECT OR COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION; TO REQUIRE ANY PERSON OR ENTITY WHO LEARNS THAT AN ADULT WAS ABUSED AS A CHILD BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PERSON OR ENTITY; TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY TO SUCH PERSON FOR REPORTING; TO AMEND SECTIONS 43-21-353 AND 97-3-54.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FOR THE REPORTER OF SEXUAL ABUSE WHICH MAY BE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF REPORTING; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 97-5-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR MANDATORY REPORTING, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.