MS SB2130

Defines "juvenile offender" as a person under 18 years old at the time of offense and prohibits death sentences for defendants who were under 18 when the crime was committed.

Allows juvenile offenders convicted of first-degree, second-degree, or capital murder to be sentenced to life imprisonment or life imprisonment without parole eligibility, or to determinate sentences ranging from 15-50 years depending on the offense.

Requires sentencing for juvenile offenders to be conducted by a judge without a jury, rather than by jury as is standard for adult offenders.

If a judge finds a life sentence unjustified for a juvenile offender, establishes mandatory minimum and maximum sentences: 20-40 years for first-degree murder, 15-30 years for second-degree murder, and 25-50 years for capital murder.

Makes these sentencing provisions retroactively applicable to all juvenile offenders regardless of when the offense was committed, arrest made, or conviction entered, effective July 1, 2023.