Bill
Bill > HB2425
VA HB2425
Abuse, etc., of child younger than 15 by person in custodial/supervisory relationship; penalty.
summary
Introduced
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
In Committee
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025
02/22/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Abuse, etc., of child younger than the age of 15 by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalty. Creates a Class 6 felony for any person 18 years of age or older who maintains a custodial or supervisory relationship over a child younger than the age of 15 and who knowingly and intentionally on three or more occasions within a 30-day period (i) commits assault or assault and battery in violation of relevant law against such child, (ii) causes such child to be an abused or neglected child as such term is defined in relevant law, or (iii) engages in any conduct that he should know or reasonably know places such child in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury. The bill also provides that a prosecution for such offense may be commenced regardless of whether such violations have been reported to a law-enforcement officer or the alleged offender has been charged with or convicted of such alleged violations.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new criminal offense in Virginia targeting adults in custodial or supervisory roles who repeatedly abuse children under 15 years old. Specifically, the bill makes it a Class 6 felony for a person 18 or older who maintains a custodial or supervisory relationship with a child under 15 to commit three or more serious offenses within a 30-day period. These offenses include physically assaulting the child, causing the child to be abused or neglected as legally defined, or engaging in conduct that would reasonably make the child fear death or bodily injury. Importantly, the bill allows prosecution of these offenses even if the specific incidents were not previously reported to law enforcement or resulted in prior charges. The legislation appears designed to provide stronger legal protections for vulnerable children by criminalizing patterns of abusive behavior by adults in positions of trust and authority over young children. The bill includes a provision acknowledging that implementing this law may increase imprisonment periods and requires a minimum fiscal impact assessment of $50,000.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Left in Courts of Justice (on 02/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2425 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2425) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1024028.PDF |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Impact statement from VCSC (HB2425) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1017362.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2425/text/HB2425 |
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