West Virginia HB4695: To double the criminal penalty for anyone found guilty of sexual assault on a minor

What the bill says

To amend and reenact §61-8B-5, §61-8B-9, §61-8D-4a, §61-8D-5 and §61-8D-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the criminal penalties for crimes against minors; increasing penalties for the offenses of sexual assault in the third degree; increasing penalties for sexual abuse in the third degree; increasing penalties for child neglect resulting in death; increasing penalties for sending, distributing, exhibiting, possessing, displaying, or transporting material by a parent, guardian, or custodian, or person in a position of trust, depicting a child engag.

From the engrossed text, February 5, 2026:

A BILL to amend and reenact §61-8B-5, §61-8B-9, §61-8D-4a, §61-8D-5 and §61-8D-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the criminal penalties for crimes against minors; increasing penalties for the offenses of sexual assault in the third degree; increasing penalties for sexual abuse in the third degree; increasing penalties for child neglect resulting in death; increasing penalties for sending, distributing, exhibiting, possessing, displaying, or transporting material by a parent, guardian, or custodian, or person in a position of trust, depicting a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct; increasing penalties for and adding attempt to the offense of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian, or person in a position of trust to a child; and creating criminal penalties. ARTICLE 8B. SEXUAL OFFENSES. §61-8B-5. Sexual assault in the third degree. (a) A person is guilty of sexual assault in the third degree or (2) The person, being is 16 years old or more and engages in sexual intercourse or sexual intrusion with another person who is less than 16 years old and who is at least four years younger than the defendant. (b) Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility not less than one year two years nor …

Read the full official text

Sponsors