MS HB751

Amends Section 47-7-3 of the Mississippi Code to clarify parole eligibility for minors convicted of capital murder.

Requires courts to conduct an evidentiary hearing to consider mitigating factors of youth before sentencing a minor under age 18 to life imprisonment for capital murder, in compliance with U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

Preserves judicial discretion to sentence a minor to life without parole after conducting the required hearing on youth-related mitigating factors.

Takes effect July 1, 2014.