MS HB1465

Expands enhanced penalty provisions for simple assault and aggravated assault to include health care providers and employees of health care providers or health care facilities when acting within the scope of their duty.

Simple assault upon listed persons (including health care providers) increases penalty from a maximum $500 fine or 6 months jail to a maximum $1,000 fine or 5 years imprisonment.

Aggravated assault upon listed persons (including health care providers) increases penalty from a maximum 20 years to a maximum $5,000 fine or 30 years imprisonment.

Updates statutory language to use gender-neutral pronouns and replace "in the Penitentiary" with "sentenced to the custody of the Department of Corrections."

Effective date is July 1, 2019.