"Dignity and Safety for Incarcerated Women Act"; enact.
HB 188, the "Dignity and Safety for Incarcerated Women Act," requires all Mississippi correctional facilities to designate multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters exclusively for one sex (male or female). It prohibits incarcerated individuals from entering facilities designated for the opposite sex, except during emergencies, medical care, or maintenance. The bill creates private lawsuits for inmates who face violations, allowing them to seek court orders against facilities that fail to enforce gender-segregated spaces. This law applies to all incarcerated people in Mississippi facilities and takes effect July 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Feb 11, 2025
Signed Mar 18, 2025
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As Passed the lower
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Current version
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MINOR
The bill title was updated from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor', indicating the legislative process has moved to the final stage for gubernatorial review. No substantive policy changes, scope modifications, or new provisions were identified in the provided text snippet.
TECHNICAL
Version status label changed from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor', reflecting the bill's progression in the legislative process.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 7, 2025 · House Feb 10, 2025
How they voted
48–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 51
Mar 7, 2025
D
Democratic16
93% Yea
R
Republican35
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Mar 18, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor
executive
Mar 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
Referred To Corrections
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Introduced
Transmitted To Senate
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub
lower
Jan 10, 2025
Committee
Referred To Corrections
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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