The Senate passed a bill on Monday that would alter the current criminal penalties for child abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian.
House Bill 2123 modifies criminal penalties for child abuse and child neglect in West Virginia, increasing potential sentences and defining repeat offenses more strictly. Specifically, the bill increases penalties for parents, guardians, custodians, or persons in a position of trust who cause bodily or serious bodily injury to a child.
For first-time offenders causing bodily injury, the penalty is would be two to 10 years in prison (increased from one to five years), and for serious bodily injury, the penalty would be five to 15 years (increased from two to 10 years).
The legislation also introduces a new provision that allows for doubled prison terms and fines for individuals convicted of a second or subsequent felony offense related to child abuse or neglect.
Additionally, the bill adjusts language around misdemeanor offenses, changing the escalation of penalties for repeat offenses. While maintaining some discretion for courts, the bill generally aims to impose harsher penalties for repeated child abuse or neglect.
The legislation includes provisions allowing courts to mandate parenting classes, counseling, or other services, and clarifies that misdemeanor convictions do not automatically restrict parental rights or require sex offender registration.
The bill was amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee and now heads back to the for concurrence.
UPDATE:
The Senate reconvened at 6 p.m. to take up committee reports and read select bills a first time.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, April 8, at 11 a.m.
Morning Meetings for April 8:
Education at 9:30 a.m. in 451M
Gov. Org. at 9:30 a.m. in 208W
