Bill > HB2075

This bill amends the Virginia Code to increase the criminal penalty for sexual abuse of a child who is 13 or 14 years old. Specifically, it changes the offense from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony. The law applies to any adult who, with "lascivious intent" (meaning a sexually inappropriate or lustful purpose), commits an act of sexual abuse as defined in another section of the Virginia Code (§ 18.2-67.10) against a child between 13 and 15 years of age. The bill's fiscal impact statement indicates that this change could result in a net increase in imprisonment, with an estimated additional cost of at least $766,778 for state adult correctional facilities. By elevating the offense to a felony, the bill seeks to impose more serious legal consequences for this type of sexual abuse, reflecting a legislative intent to more stringently punish such crimes against young children.

Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2075