MS HB742

Amends Section 97-5-39 to require mandatory minimum penalties for felony child abuse, including minimum 5 years imprisonment for certain abuse categories and minimum 10 years for parents knowingly permitting continuing abuse.

Amends Section 97-5-42 to increase penalties for felony parental child sexual abuse violations, with mandatory minimum 1-5 years for unauthorized contact and minimum 5-7 years for harassment or threats.

Amends Section 43-21-353 to require law enforcement to arrest and detain persons suspected of burning, torturing, mutilating or severely physically abusing a child within 48 hours of learning about the abuse.

Amends Section 47-7-3 to exclude felony child abuse convictions from parole eligibility reductions available to nonviolent offenders.

Amends Section 97-5-39(4) to establish mandatory minimum 3-year imprisonment for child endangerment related to controlled substance manufacturing or possession.