Virginia House Bill HB749

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Sexual extortion; penalty.

Impact

If enacted, HB749 will classify such acts as a Class 5 felony, with more severe penalties for perpetrators who target minors. This bill is intended to enhance protections against digital harassment and sexual exploitation, reflecting a legislative response to the increase in incidents of revenge pornography and similar forms of coercion. By setting clear legal repercussions, it aims not only to deter potential offenders but also to provide a legal avenue for victims to seek justice.

Summary

House Bill 749 aims to address the growing concern of sexual extortion in Virginia by amending §18.2-59.1 of the Code of Virginia. This bill introduces strict penalties for individuals who maliciously threaten to disseminate private images or communications for the purpose of coercing a victim into sexual acts. The legislation specifies the nature of the threats, whether involving the publication of images showing nude or partially nude individuals or threatening harm to a victim's housing or property rights.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB749 may arise due to concerns regarding the balance between protecting victims and ensuring due process for the accused. Critics may argue that the bill's provisions could inadvertently criminalize benign situations or create legal challenges in proving malicious intent. Additionally, there might be discussions about the adequacy of current state resources to handle increased prosecutions stemming from the bill's enactment, as it anticipates a rise in imprisonment consequences due to the newly defined felonies.