Yes, dating siblings is not explicitly criminalized in Mississippi, but state law strictly prohibits marriage or cohabitation between siblings, reflecting longstanding public policy against incestuous relationships.
Under Mississippi Code § 93-1-1, marriage between siblings is void ab initio, and § 97-29-2 criminalizes “unnatural intercourse,” which courts have interpreted to include incestuous conduct. While consensual dating lacks direct statutory prohibition, law enforcement may investigate such relationships under broader public decency statutes if they involve minors or coercion. The Mississippi State Department of Health enforces marriage licensing bans, and local district attorneys retain discretion to pursue charges under § 97-29-2 if conduct escalates to sexual acts. No 2026 compliance shifts have altered this framework, as legislative proposals to decriminalize sibling relationships have stalled in the Mississippi Legislature.
Key Regulations for Dating Siblings in Mississippi
- Marriage Prohibition: § 93-1-1 voids any marriage between siblings, with no exceptions for first cousins.
- Criminalization of Sexual Conduct: § 97-29-2 criminalizes “unnatural intercourse,” including incest, punishable as a felony.
- Minor Protections: Relationships involving minors may trigger additional scrutiny under § 97-5-27 (statutory rape) or child endangerment laws.