SB2223 • 2026

Violent habitual offender; require both previous crimes to have been crimes of violence.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE SENTENCING OF AN OFFENDER AS AN HABITUAL VIOLENT OFFENDER BY REQUIRING BOTH PREVIOUS CRIMES TO HAVE BEEN CRIMES OF VIOLENCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Simmons (12th)
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Since the bill did not pass, there are no official details about its implementation or impact.

Violent Habitual Offender Law Change

This bill changes the law to require that both previous crimes of a person being sentenced as an habitual violent offender must be violent crimes.

What This Bill Does

Changes how someone can be labeled as an habitual violent offender in Mississippi by requiring both past felonies for an habitual violent offender to have been violent crimes.

Who It Names or Affects

People who might be sentenced under this law change.
Courts and judges in Mississippi who decide sentences.

Terms To Know

Habitual violent offender: A person with a history of committing violent crimes, facing harsher sentencing rules.
Crime of violence: An offense that involves the use or threat of physical force against someone.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and will not become law.
It only affects sentencing rules in Mississippi.
The effective date mentioned (July 1, 2026) is no longer relevant since the bill did not pass.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Died In Committee
2026-01-14 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/14 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division B

Official Summary Text

Violent habitual offender; require both previous crimes to have been crimes of violence.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2223 *SS08/R608* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS08/R608
PAGE 1 (ens\tb)

To: Judiciary, Division B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th)

SENATE BILL NO. 2223

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO REVISE SENTENCING OF AN OFFENDER AS AN HABITUAL VIOLENT 2
OFFENDER BY REQUIRING BOTH PREVIOUS CRIMES TO HAVE BEEN CRIMES OF 3
VIOLENCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. Section 99-19-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 6
amended as follows: 7
99-19-83. Every person convicted in this state of a felony 8
who shall have been convicted twice previously of any felony or 9
federal crime upon charges separately brought and arising out of 10
separate incidents at different times and who shall have been 11
sentenced to and served separate terms of one (1) year or more, 12
whether served concurrently or not, in any state * * * or federal 13
penal institution, whether in this state or elsewhere, and 14
where * * * both of such felonies shall have been a crime of 15
violence, as defined by Section 97-3-2, shall be sentenced to life 16
imprisonment, and such sentence shall not be reduced or suspended 17
nor shall such person be eligible for parole, probation or any 18
S. B. No. 2223 *SS08/R608* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS08/R608
PAGE 2 (ens\tb)
ST: Violent habitual offender; require both
previous crimes to have been crimes of violence.
other form of early release from actual physical custody within 19
the Department of Corrections. 20
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 21
and after July 1, 2026. 22