Bill > HB5235

This bill seeks to significantly increase the criminal penalties for sexual assault and abuse of minors in West Virginia. Key provisions include: - Doubling the minimum and maximum prison sentences for sexual assault in the third degree, which involves sexual intercourse or intrusion with a minor under 16 years old. - Changing sexual abuse in the third degree (sexual contact with a minor under 16) from a misdemeanor to a felony, with a minimum 1-year prison sentence. - Increasing the minimum and maximum prison sentences for sexual abuse of a child by a parent, guardian, or person in a position of trust, from 10-20 years to 20-40 years. - Imposing a new felony offense for a parent, guardian, or person in a position of trust who fails to report known sexual assault or abuse of a child, with a 2-10 year prison sentence. - Doubling the maximum prison sentence for distributing or possessing material depicting a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct, from 2 years to 4 years. Overall, this bill aims to significantly strengthen the legal consequences for those who sexually abuse or exploit children in West Virginia.