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Bill

HB 1488

Unnatural intercourse law; revise to remove "mankind" from.

2025 Regular Session

Mississippi bill removes "mankind" language from sodomy statute, potentially clarifying application of sexual conduct law to different populations.

Died In Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1488

Legislative bill overview

HB 1488 proposes to revise Mississippi's sodomy statute by removing the word "mankind" from the legal language defining prohibited sexual conduct. The bill appears designed to modernize or clarify existing law regarding sexual conduct regulations, though the specific legislative intent requires examination of the full bill text.

Why is this important

Mississippi is one of the few remaining states with laws regulating consensual sexual conduct between adults. The language in such statutes can affect how courts interpret them, whether they apply equally to different groups, and their enforceability. Clarifying or revising statutory language can have real consequences for how laws are applied and interpreted.

Potential points of contention

  • Constitutional questions: The U.S. Supreme Court's 2003 decision in Lawrence v. Texas struck down sodomy laws as unconstitutional, yet some states retain them on the books. Any revision raises questions about enforceability and whether the law should exist at all.
  • Scope and application ambiguity: The phrase "mankind" in the original statute's interpretation affects who the law applies to, making this potentially a clarification about equal application rather than substantive change—or alternatively, a narrowing of the law's reach.
  • Legislative intent opacity: Without fuller context, it's unclear whether this bill aims to strengthen, weaken, or merely clarify the statute's application to different groups.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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