House Bill 1317

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE A SENTENCING JUDGE TO SET A DATE CERTAIN IN HIS OR HER SENTENCING ORDER FOR THE PURPOSE OF RE-EVALUATING THE PENALTY FOR CONVICTION OF NONVIOLENT CRIMES; TO AUTHORIZE THE JUDGE TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO PLACEMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, upon sentencing a person convicted for a crime that is not defined as a crime of violence in Section 97-3-2, the sentencing judge may set a date that is not more than twelve (12) months from the date that a person is sentenced for the purpose of being assessed for mental health, drug treatment, literacy, job readiness or other matters within the judge's discretion. Upon assessment of a person, the judge, within his or her discretion, may develop a plan to address the matters which may include alternatives to placement in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The date shall be: (a) set no more than twelve (12) months from the date of the original sentencing, and (b) placed in the sentencing order on the date of sentencing such person.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.