Bill > HB2634

This bill proposes to significantly increase criminal penalties for various sexual offenses involving minors in West Virginia. The bill doubles or substantially increases the minimum and maximum prison sentences and fines for sexual assault in the third degree, sexual abuse in the third degree, and sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or person in a position of trust. Specifically, for sexual assault in the third degree, the minimum prison sentence is increased from one to two years, and the maximum sentence is raised from five to ten years, with fines doubling from $10,000 to $20,000. Sexual abuse in the third degree is elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony, with jail time increasing from 90 days to at least one year. For sexual abuse by a parent or guardian, the penalties are similarly escalated, with prison sentences for offenses involving children under 16 increasing from 10-20 years to 20-40 years, and fines increasing from $500-$5,000 to $1,000-$10,000. The bill also expands the definition of persons in a position of trust and increases penalties for sending or possessing sexually explicit materials involving children, including doubling the maximum prison sentence from two to four years and increasing fines. The overall intent is to provide stronger legal consequences for sexual offenses against minors and to offer greater protection for children.