MS HB1259

Expands felonious child abuse offense to include intentional, knowing, or reckless acts (replacing only "willful" standard) that harm children.

Creates tiered felony offenses: acts causing no bodily harm (burn, torture, strangle, poison, starve, use deadly weapon); acts causing bodily harm (throw, kick, bite, cut, strike face/head); and acts causing serious bodily harm (with penalties ranging from 2 years to life imprisonment).

Defines "bodily harm" as any injury including bruising, bleeding, lacerations, and swelling; defines "serious bodily harm" as fracture, permanent disfigurement, internal bleeding, brain damage, or organ impairment.

Allows reasonable corporal punishment as defense to serious bodily harm charges (subsection c) but not to acts in subsections (a) and (b) or when serious bodily harm results.

Increases penalties for child endangerment related to drug manufacturing or possession to up to 10 years imprisonment, or up to 20 years if substantial harm results.