Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB778: An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-374.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to display of obscene material to a minor unlawful; penalty.
Status: Chaptered, April 6, 2026
Display of obscene material to a minor unlawful; penalty. Makes it a Class 6 felony for any person 18 years of age or older to display obscene material, as defined in relevant law, to a minor younger than 13 years of age with lascivious intent. Current law only prohibits the display of child pornography or a grooming video or materials to a child younger than 13 years of age by a person 18 years of age or older.
What the bill says
An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-374.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to display of obscene material to a minor unlawful; penalty. [S 778] Approved April 6, 2026 1. That § 18.2-374.4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as penalty. A. Any person 18 years of age or older who displays any obscene item or material, including child pornography or a grooming video or materials to a child [DELETED: under] younger than 13 years of age with [DELETED: the] lascivious intent to entice, solicit, or encourage the child to engage in the touching or fondling of [DELETED: the] his own sexual.
From the enrolled text, April 6, 2026:
An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-374.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to display of obscene material to a minor unlawful; penalty. [S 778] Approved April 6, 2026 1. That § 18.2-374.4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as penalty. A. Any person 18 years of age or older who displays any obscene item or material, including child pornography or a grooming video or materials to a child [DELETED: under] younger than 13 years of age with [DELETED: the] lascivious intent to entice, solicit, or encourage the child to engage in the touching or fondling of [DELETED: the] his own sexual or genital parts, the touching or fondling of the sexual or genital parts of another, or the touching or fondling of his sexual or genital parts by another, or masturbation, sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal intercourse, or object sexual penetration is guilty of a Class 6 felony. B. [DELETED: "Grooming] For purposes of this (ii) in a state of undress so as to expose the genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast; or (iii) not exposed but the material is obscene and such person is engaged in the touching or fondling of the sexual or genital parts of another [DELETED: or] , the touching or fondling of his sexual or genital parts by …