HB2075 amends Virginia Code § 18.2-67.4:2, which addresses sexual abuse of a child under 15 years of age. The bill changes the penalty for an adult who, with lascivious intent, commits an act of sexual abuse against a child who is at least 13 but under 15 years old. Under the introduced text, the offense would be elevated from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony.
The bill also includes a fiscal impact statement noting that the change may increase periods of imprisonment or commitment. It estimates at least $766,778 in additional appropriations for state adult correctional facilities, with no estimated cost for commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice. In practical terms, the bill would make the offense more serious under Virginia law and expose offenders to felony-level punishment rather than misdemeanor penalties.
Impact
If enacted, HB2075 would amend Virginia’s criminal code to increase the penalty for sexual abuse of certain children from a misdemeanor to a felony, specifically for adult offenders acting with lascivious intent against victims ages 13 and 14. This would affect sentencing exposure, criminal records, and correctional costs, and it would likely increase the number of cases handled as felony prosecutions in the adult criminal justice system. The bill’s fiscal note anticipates higher incarceration costs for the Commonwealth.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, amendments, or formal support/opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a punitive approach to child protection and sexual offense enforcement, with the stated purpose of strengthening penalties for abuse of minors.
Contention
The main policy issue is the severity of punishment: the bill would reclassify the offense from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony, which may raise questions about proportionality, sentencing policy, and correctional costs. Any opposition would likely focus on the fiscal impact and the broader implications of expanding felony liability, while supporters would likely emphasize stronger deterrence and enhanced protection for children ages 13 to 14. No specific stakeholders or arguments are documented in the provided transcripts.