Callous disregard for human life and probable consequences; penalties.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide a cost estimate or specify actions that would be considered callous disregard.

Penalties for Callous Disregard for Human Life

This bill makes it a crime if someone acts in a way that shows they don't care about human life and could hurt others, especially first responders.

What This Bill Does

• Makes it illegal to commit a criminal act with such bad behavior that it indicates no concern for people's lives or the likely results of actions, punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
• Increases the punishment from a misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony if someone knew or should have known their actions would put first responders at greater risk.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who commit crimes with callous disregard for human life
• First responders like police officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, and emergency medical services workers

Terms To Know

Callous Disregard

Showing no care or concern about the well-being of others.

Probable Consequences

The likely results of an action.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much it will cost to enforce.
• It is unclear what specific actions would be considered a callous disregard for human life.

Official Summary Text

Callous disregard for human life and probable consequences; penalties.
Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who commits a criminal act and whose conduct was so gross, wanton, or culpable as to indicate a callous disregard for human life and for the probable consequences of his conduct. The bill enhances the penalty to a Class 6 felony where such person knew or should have known that the consequences of such conduct would pose a greater risk to first responders.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
18.2-51.1:1
, relating to callous disregard for human life and probable consequences; penalties.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
18.2-51.1:1
as follows:

§
18.2-51
.
1
:1.
C
allous disregard for human life and probable consequences
; penalt
ies
.

If a
person
commits a criminal offense in the Commonwealth and the
conduct
of
such person
was so

gross
, wanton,
or culpable
as to
indicate
a
callous disregard
for
human life

and

for
the probable
consequences
of
his conduct
,
he is guilty of a Class
1

misdemeanor
.

If such person
knew or
should have known that
the

resulting

consequences

of his
conduct

would pose a greater risk to
a
law-enforcement officer
,
as defined in §
18.2-51.1
,
firefighter, as defined in §
65.2-102
, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel
, as defined in §
32.1-111.1
, engaged in the performance of public duties as a law-enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel
,
he is guilty of a Class
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 cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 725 of the Acts of Assembly of 2025 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to §
30-19.1:4
of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.