HB 945 Mississippi House · 2026 Regular Session

Requests for DNA testing; clarify that they are excepted from bar on second or successive motions for post-conviction relief.

This bill clarifies that requests for DNA testing in post-conviction cases are exempt from Mississippi's rule barring second or successive motions. It explicitly adds that inmates who previously filed a motion can seek new DNA testing with untested evidence or advanced technology without being blocked by the "second motion" rule. This directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking to challenge convictions or sentences using newly available DNA evidence. The change amends Mississippi Code sections 99-39-23 and 99-39-27 to make this exception clear in post-conviction procedures.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Last action Feb 3, 2026
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2
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Committee
1
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
Referred To Judiciary B
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Party
State
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P
Photo of Fred Shanks
Fred Shanks
RRepublican
MS
60