SB 986
Relating to child torture and abused children
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill creates a new crime in West Virginia called ‘child torture.’ It defines ‘torture’ as a course of conduct including specific acts like physical harm, deprivation of necessities, emotional distress, and threats of harm, targeting children under the care or control of an individual with a duty to protect them. The bill establishes criminal penalties, ranging from one to five years imprisonment for offenses without bodily injury, and two to ten years imprisonment for offenses resulting in bodily injury.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘child torture’ as a course of conduct meeting specific criteria.
- Lists specific acts constituting child torture, including physical harm, deprivation of necessities, and emotional distress.
- Specifies that child torture occurs when a person intentionally or recklessly tortures a child they are responsible for.
- Establishes felony penalties for child torture, varying based on whether the victim suffers bodily injury.
- Creates a new section ( §61-8D-3b) in the West Virginia Code related to child torture.
- Defines key terms such as ‘emotional distress’ and ‘period of time’ as they relate to the definition of torture.
- Clarifies that the offense applies to individuals in positions of trust, such as parents, guardians, or custodians.
- Addresses conduct that places a child at risk of serious bodily injury.
Who is affected
- Children
- Parents
- Guardians
- Custodians
- Individuals in positions of trust
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