Bill Text: MS SB2365 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Chemical endangerment of a child or fetus; create crime of.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2014-02-04 - Died In Committee [SB2365 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2014-SB2365-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Judiciary, Division B; Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Senator(s) Watson

Senate Bill 2365

AN ACT TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF CHEMICAL ENDANGERMENT OF A CHILD OR FETUS AND TO PRESCRIBE PUNISHMENT THEREFOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  (1)  A person commits the crime of chemical endangerment of a child if the person knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally causes or permits a child or a fetus to be exposed to, to ingest or inhale, or to have contact with:

          (a)  A controlled substance; or

          (b)  A precursor drug or chemical as defined in Section 41-29-313.

     (2)  A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, punished as follows:

          (a)  If the child or fetus suffers serious physical injury by exposure to, ingestion of, inhalation of, or contact with a controlled substance or precursor drug or chemical substance, by confinement in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed five (5) years;

          (b)  If the exposure to, ingestion of, inhalation of, or contact with a controlled substance or precursor drug or chemical substance results in the death of the child or fetus, by confinement in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed twenty (20) years.

     (3)  The court shall impose punishment pursuant to this section rather than imposing punishment authorized under any other provision of law, unless another provision of law provides for a greater penalty or a longer term of imprisonment.

     (4)  It is an affirmative defense to a violation of this section that the controlled substance was:

          (a)  Provided by lawful prescription for the child, and that it was administered to the child in accordance with the prescription instructions provided with the controlled substance.

          (b)  Provided by lawful prescription for the pregnant mother of the fetus, and that it was administered to the mother in accordance with the prescription instructions provided with the controlled substance.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.