A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-67.4:2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to sexual abuse of certain children; penalty.
HB989 amends Virginia’s sexual abuse statute for children under 15 by changing 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 bill, the offense would be elevated from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony. The underlying conduct and age range remain the same; the bill focuses on increasing the criminal penalty for this offense.
The bill also includes a fiscal note stating that the change could increase periods of imprisonment or commitment, with an estimated state cost of at least $766,778 for adult correctional facilities and no estimated cost for juvenile commitment. The measure was introduced and referred to the House Committee for Courts of Justice, but it was left in committee and did not advance further in the available record.
HB989 would amend § 18.2-67.4:2 of the Code of Virginia by increasing the punishment for sexual abuse of certain children from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony. That change would expose convicted offenders to more serious criminal consequences, including a felony record and potentially longer incarceration, and would likely affect sentencing, prosecution, and correctional costs in cases involving adults who sexually abuse children ages 13 and 14. The bill’s fiscal note anticipates increased state incarceration costs.
No committee debate or recorded votes are available in the provided materials, so there is no direct transcript evidence of support or opposition. The bill’s introduction and referral indicate it was considered in the House Committee for Courts of Justice, but its being left in committee suggests it did not receive enough support to advance. Based on the text alone, the bill reflects a punitive approach aimed at strengthening penalties for child sexual abuse.
The main point of contention is likely the penalty increase itself: supporters would view the felony upgrade as a stronger deterrent and a more serious response to sexual abuse of minors, while opponents could raise concerns about proportionality, sentencing severity, and the fiscal impact of increased incarceration. Because no committee transcript or vote record is provided, the specific arguments and the identities of supporters or critics are not available in the record.