AN ACT TO LOWER THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM TWENTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN; TO AMEND SECTION 1-3-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE DEFINITION OF INFANT; TO AMEND SECTION 11-46-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE SAVINGS CLAUSE OF THE TORT CLAIMS ACT TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 13-5-1 AND 13-5-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AGE OF JURY SERVICE; TO AMEND SECTION 15-1-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE LIMITATIONS APPLICABLE TO AN ACTION BY A WARD AGAINST A GUARDIAN OR SURETY; TO AMEND SECTION 15-1-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE SAVING IN FAVOR OF PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY OF UNSOUNDNESS OF MIND WITHIN THE CHAPTER ADDRESSING THE LIMITATIONS OF CIVIL ACTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 21-15-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE MILITIA POWER OF THE MAYOR TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 25-4-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "HOUSEHOLD MEMBER" WITHIN THE ARTICLE ESTABLISHING THE MISSISSIPPI ETHICS COMMISSION TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 41-29-145, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PUNISHMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES TO MINORS TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 43-19-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE AGE OF MANDATORY SUPPORT IN AN ORDER OF FILIATION; TO AMEND SECTION 91-5-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM AS TO THE AGE OF ISSUE CAPABLE OF INHERITING; TO AMEND SECTION 91-7-293, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM AS TO FINAL ACCOUNTING BY THE HEIRS OF AN ESTATE; TO AMEND SECTION 93-1-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE AGE FOR ISSUANCE OF A MARRIAGE LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 93-9-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM PROVISIONS AS TO AGE FOR THE TERMS OF A DECREE FOR REMOVAL OF THE DISABILITY OF A MINOR; TO AMEND SECTION 93-11-65, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AGE OF EMANCIPATION; TO AMEND SECTION 93-14-102, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "ADULT" FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 93-15-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "MINOR PARENT" IN THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 93-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM AS TO THE AGE OF PARENTS IN AN ADOPTION; TO AMEND SECTION 93-17-205, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE PROVISIONS CONCERNING ADOPTION RECORDS TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 93-17-215, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM AS TO A PERSON'S AUTHORITY TO REQUEST CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING ADOPTION; TO AMEND SECTION 93-20-102, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AGE OF MAJORITY UNDER GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP LAW TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 97-33-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE PENALTY FOR GAMBLING WITH A KNOWN MINOR; TO AMEND SECTION 99-3-45, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM AS TO WHICH PERSONS MUST BE GIVEN CERTAIN NOTICE UPON RELEASE FROM ARREST; TO REPEAL SECTION 35-7-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE DISABILITIES OF MINORITY OF CERTAIN VETERANS; TO REPEAL SECTION 91-7-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE DISABILITIES OF MINORITY FOR CERTAIN EXECUTORS, EXECUTRIXES, ADMINISTRATORS OR ADMINISTRATRIXES; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 93-19-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THAT ALL PERSONS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, IF NOT OTHERWISE DISQUALIFIED, SHALL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ENTER INTO BINDING CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS AFFECTING PERSONAL PROPERTY AND THAT AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD MAY SUE AND BE SUED IN HIS OWN NAME AS AN ADULT AND BE SERVED WITH PROCESS AS AN ADULT, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Should HB 277 be enacted, all individuals who are eighteen years of age will acquire the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts affecting personal property, mortgages, and investments. Additionally, eighteen-year-olds will be eligible for jury service and will have the authority to sue or be sued in their own names. This shift is expected to have widespread implications on civil rights, as young adults will be legally recognized in various capacities, including in matters of guardianship and the ability to make personal and financial decisions.
The bill may face contention, particularly regarding the implications of lowering the age of majority. Advocates argue that this allows young adults to engage in adult responsibilities effectively, while opponents may raise concerns about the maturity and financial understanding of eighteen-year-olds. Furthermore, updates to laws regarding the distribution of controlled substances to minors, guardianship, and other related areas could lead to debates on child welfare and parental rights. The adjustment may spark discussions around the appropriateness of empowering young individuals at this stage significantly in the context of growing concerns about youth engagement in societal issues.