Bill > HB5496

This bill establishes the criminal offense of child torture in West Virginia, defining it as a course of conduct against a child by someone at least 16 years old that involves specific acts such as breaking limbs, inflicting severe pain through burning or cutting, prolonged deprivation of food or water, unreasonable restraint, forcing the child into unsuitable living conditions, exposing them to extreme temperatures, excessive physical exertion as punishment, sexual abuse or exploitation, repeated intimidation or humiliation causing emotional distress, terrorizing or threatening death or harm, restricting basic bodily hygiene functions, or placing the child at risk of serious bodily injury. If the torture causes bodily injury, the offender faces a felony conviction with imprisonment of 10 to 25 years and a mandatory 10-year parole eligibility period. If the torture does not cause bodily injury, it is still a felony, but the imprisonment is 10 to 20 years with a mandatory eight-year parole eligibility period.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5496&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill