MS HB1201

Amends Section 97-5-39 to establish mandatory minimum sentences for felony child abuse: minimum 5 years to life for severe abuse (burns, torture, strangulation, poisoning, starving, deadly weapons); minimum 2 years to 10 years for abuse causing bodily harm; life imprisonment for second or subsequent convictions.

Requires mandatory minimum sentences for child endangerment involving drug manufacturing or possession: minimum 3 years to 10 years for basic endangerment; up to 20 years if endangerment results in substantial harm to the child.

Mandates arrest and detention of suspected abusers within 48 hours of law enforcement learning about severe physical abuse (burning, torture, mutilation, or physical abuse causing serious bodily harm) and requires investigations to begin within 48 hours.

Amends Section 47-7-3 to exclude felony child abuse from nonviolent crime parole eligibility provisions, ensuring child abuse offenders cannot receive reduced parole eligibility based on nonviolent offense classifications.

Increases penalties for violations of parental child sexual abuse contact restrictions to minimum 1-5 years imprisonment for unauthorized contact and minimum 5-7 years imprisonment for harassment, threats, or intimidation of the victim or custodian.