2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25100579D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2425

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 8, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-369.1, relating to abuse, etc., of child younger than the age of 15 by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalty.

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Patrons—Griffin and Green

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-369.1 as follows:

§ 18.2-369.1. Abuse, etc., of child younger than the age of 15 by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalty.

A. No person 18 years of age or older who maintains a custodial or supervisory relationship over a child younger than the age of 15 shall knowingly and intentionally (i) commit assault or assault and battery in violation of § 18.2-57 or 18.2-57.2 against such child, (ii) cause such child to be an abused or neglected child as defined in § 16.1-228, or (iii) engage in any conduct that he should know or reasonably know places such child in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury.

B. Any person who, on three or more occasions, violates subsection A within a 30-day period is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

C. A prosecution for a violation of this section may be commenced regardless of whether the conduct described in subsection A has been reported to a law-enforcement officer or the alleged offender has been charged with or convicted of the alleged violations.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 2 of the Acts of Assembly of 2024, Special Session I, requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is $0 for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.