MississippiMississippi law allows penalties for harmful gaps in child supervision
Starting July 1, 2026, Mississippi law allows penalties for caregivers whose failure to supervise a child causes substantial physical harm.
What it does
Caregivers may face prison, a fine, or both if they fail to provide supervision suited to a child's age and the child suffers substantial physical harm. A prosecutor may choose a lesser penalty.
Argument forThis penalty may give prosecutors a way to hold caregivers accountable when a child suffers substantial physical harm from a lack of age-appropriate supervision.
Argument againstA caregiver could face up to five years in prison for a supervision failure that causes substantial physical harm, even though prosecutors can choose a lesser penalty.
More detail
The law allows prison, a fine, or both for depriving a child of needed supervision when that causes substantial physical harm. This applies to a parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child under 18. A married person under 18 or one on active duty in the armed services is not treated as a child under this section. At the prosecutor's discretion, the penalty may instead be a fine of up to $1,000, county jail for up to one year, or both. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 8Approved by Governor Tate ReevesBecame Law
- Apr 2Enrolled Bill SignedTo Governor
- Apr 2Enrolled Bill Signed
- Apr 2Motion to Reconsider Tabled
- Apr 1Motion to Reconsider Entered
- Mar 31Conference Report Adopted
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Report. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Report. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 31Conference Report Adopted
- Mar 30Conference Report Filed
- Mar 30Conference Report Filed
- Mar 12Conferees Named Horan,Owen,Hurst
- Mar 11Conferees Named Fillingane,Sparks,Wiggins
- Mar 10Decline to Concur/Invite Conf
- Mar 6Returned For Concurrence
- Mar 5Passed As AmendedPassed House
- Vote recorded Passage as Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5AmendedMajor
- Mar 2Title Suff Do Pass As AmendedMinor
- Feb 13Referred To Judiciary BMinor
- Feb 11Transmitted To HouseMinor
- Feb 10PassedPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 2Title Suff Do PassMinor
- Jan 9Referred To Judiciary, Division BIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety