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MississippiSB 21102026 Regular SessionSenate

Child neglect; create crime related to the deprivation of necessary supervision.

Sponsored By: Joey Fillingane (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary BJudiciary, Division B

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

New neglect crimes for parents and caregivers

Parents, guardians, and caregivers face new crimes for neglect. It is a misdemeanor to help cause a child’s neglect or to hide a child who left custody. Penalty: up to $1,000 or up to 1 year in jail, or both. Failing to provide food, clothing, or shelter needed to live or be healthy is a felony. Penalty: up to 5 years or up to $5,000, or both. This does not apply when lack of care is due to lack of money, unless help was offered and refused and the child faces imminent harm. Refusing reasonably necessary medical care is also covered; optional vaccinations are not required. Leaving a child without needed supervision that leads to substantial physical harm can be charged. Penalty: up to 5 years or up to $5,000, or a misdemeanor at the prosecutor’s choice. Knowingly allowing ongoing physical or sexual abuse is a felony. Penalty: up to 10 years or up to $10,000, or both.

Stronger felony child-abuse rules and penalties

Certain acts are felonies even if no injury shows: burning, torture, choking or smothering, poisoning, starving, or using a deadly weapon. The law defines torture as causing unnecessary physical or mental pain, with examples like starving, binding, stress positions, or locking a child in a small space. It also defines “bodily harm” and “serious bodily harm” for charging and sentencing. Sentences: at least 5 years up to life for the worst acts; 2 to 10 years for other listed acts that cause bodily harm. A second conviction under these rules can mean life in prison. A reasonable-discipline defense is narrow and never applies to the severe acts or when discipline causes serious bodily harm.

One-time treatment instead of jail option

A judge can pause a sentence for some neglect or abuse charges after consulting child protection or mental health professionals. The judge can order treatment at an approved facility instead of jail or fines. A person can use this treatment option only once.

Child definition, youth court, and doctor testimony

A child under this law is anyone under 18, except a married minor or one on active military duty. When a child commits certain listed acts against another child, the case goes to youth court. Criminal cases for adults go to the local circuit, county, justice, or municipal court. Youth court contempt powers stay the same. In cases from mandated child-injury reports, a doctor’s testimony cannot be blocked by doctor‑patient privilege. A doctor’s report is evidence only if the doctor also testifies and introduces it.

When these child-neglect changes start

These changes take effect on July 1, 2026. That is when the new crimes, penalties, definitions, and court rules begin.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joey Fillingane

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 311 • No: 19

House vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 99 • No: 9

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 42 • No: 9 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 119 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Passed

Yes: 51 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    4/2/2026Senate

  5. Motion to Reconsider Entered

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Conference Report Adopted

    3/31/2026Senate

  7. Conference Report Adopted

    3/31/2026House

  8. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026Senate

  9. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026House

  10. Conferees Named Horan,Owen,Hurst

    3/12/2026House

  11. Conferees Named Fillingane,Sparks,Wiggins

    3/11/2026Senate

  12. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Returned For Concurrence

    3/6/2026House

  14. Passed As Amended

    3/5/2026House

  15. Amended

    3/5/2026House

  16. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/2/2026House

  17. Referred To Judiciary B

    2/13/2026House

  18. Transmitted To House

    2/11/2026Senate

  19. Passed

    2/10/2026Senate

  20. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/2/2026Senate

  21. Referred To Judiciary, Division B

    1/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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