Virginia House Bill HB1699

Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23
• Report Pass: 2/3/23
• Engrossed: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/8/23
• Report Pass: 2/15/23
• Report Pass: 2/16/23
• Engrossed: 2/21/23
• Engrossed: 2/22/23
• Enrolled: 3/7/23
• Chaptered: 3/23/23
• Passed: 3/23/23

Caption

Minors; buying or selling, exceptions, penalties.

Impact

The passage of HB 1699 represents a significant tightening of state laws regarding the control and custody of minors. By defining specific actions that constitute felonious behavior in relation to minors, it clarifies the legal landscape and aims to deter unlawful activities. The provisions included ensure that while exceptions are made for legitimate scenarios like surrogacy and adoption, all other attempts to sell or buy custody of a minor will be a prosecutable offense.

Summary

House Bill 1699 addresses the issues around the buying or selling of minors, establishing strict legal penalties for anyone involved in such transactions. The bill explicitly outlines that offering money or valuable items for the purpose of obtaining custody or control of a minor is categorized as a Class 5 felony. Additionally, it criminalizes parents or guardians receiving compensation for transferring custody of minors, thus aiming to increase protections for vulnerable children and reinforce laws against exploitation.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1699 appears to be overwhelmingly positive, particularly among legislators who advocate for child protection. The bill garnered a strong bipartisan vote, with 95 in favor and only 1 against during its adoption. Supporters argue that this legislation is a necessary move to safeguard vulnerable minors and ensure that such exploitation is met with appropriate legal consequences. Critics may raise concerns about the implications of overly punitive measures, yet the strong legislative support suggests a prevailing view that child welfare must be prioritized.

Contention

While the bill has been widely supported, there are notable discussions about the potential implications of its strict penalties. Some fears include the possibility of misunderstanding the law in legitimate cases involving family matters such as surrogacy or adoption processes. The balance between stringent penalties for exploitation and ensuring lawful arrangements for custody transfer remains a topic of concern among legal experts and child welfare advocates.