HB 2634
To double the criminal penalty for anyone found guilty of sexual assault on a minor
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill proposes to significantly increase the criminal penalties for sexual assault and abuse involving minors in West Virginia. Specifically, it doubles the current penalties for third-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse, as well as for offenses involving a parent, guardian, or custodian. The bill also addresses the distribution and possession of sexually explicit material featuring children and clarifies that failure to report such crimes is a felony.
Key provisions
- Doubles the criminal penalty for third-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse.
- Increases penalties for sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian, or other person in a position of trust involving a child.
- Establishes felony penalties for failing to report sexual assault or abuse of a child.
- Increases penalties for distributing, possessing, and transporting sexually explicit material featuring children.
- Creates a separate felony offense for allowing sexual exploitation of a child when in a position of trust.
- Excludes certain individuals (those less than four years older than the child) from some penalties.
- Addresses penalties for sending or distributing material depicting a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Who is affected
- Minors
- Parents
- Guardians
- Custodians
- Individuals in positions of trust (e.g., teachers, counselors)
Notable changes
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