Senate Bill 2803 Summary

• Defines "child" as a person under 18 years old who is not on active military duty and not married.

• Creates felonious child abuse offense with three tiers based on harm caused: no bodily harm required for burning, torture, strangling, or shaking a child under 5; some bodily harm for throwing, kicking, biting, cutting, or closed-fist strikes to face/head; serious bodily harm for striking face/head, disfigurement, scarring, or abuse.

• Establishes mandatory imprisonment in the Department of Corrections for felonious child abuse convictions of not less than 10 years nor more than life, with life imprisonment for second or subsequent convictions.

• Allows reasonable corporal punishment as a defense to charges unless the child suffers serious bodily harm as a result.

• Enhances penalties for child endangerment related to controlled substance manufacturing or possession, with sentences up to 10 years (or 20 years if substantial harm results).

• Takes effect July 1, 2012.