Sexual abuse of children; penalty.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the exact penalties or costs associated with the bill's implementation.

Penalty Increase for Sexual Abuse of Children

This bill changes the punishment for sexually abusing a child who is 13 or 14 years old from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the penalty for sexual abuse of children aged 13 or 14 from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who sexually abuse children aged 13 or 14

Terms To Know

Class 6 felony

A serious crime that carries a higher punishment than a misdemeanor.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the exact penalties for those convicted under this new law.
• It is unclear how many cases will be affected by this change in penalty classification.

Official Summary Text

Sexual abuse of certain children; penalty.
Increases from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony the penalty for sexual abuse of a child who is 13 or 14 years of age.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to amend and reenact §
18.2-67.4:2
of the Code of Virginia, relating to sexual abuse of certain children; penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §
18.2-67.4:2
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§
18.2-67.4:2
. Sexual abuse of a child under 15 years of age; penalty.

Any adult who, with lascivious intent, commits an act of sexual abuse, as defined in §
18.2-67.10
, with any child 13 years of age or older but under 15 years of age is guilty of a Class
1 misdemeanor
6 felony
.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to §
30-19.1:4
of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is at least $766,778 for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities and is $0 for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.