VIRGINIA, USA — Governor Glenn Youngkin was in Stafford County signing several bills that will protect children from exploitation.
Virginia Senate Bill 731, fixes the definition of child pornography addressing a loophole that was sexually explicit deep fakes like AI.
Virginia House Bill 1427; fixing period of suspension sentence, allows courts to extend maximum length of probation for sexual battery and abuse of a child between the ages of 13-years-old and 15-years-old. It gives flexibility in sentencing offenses.
WUSA9 spoke to a father and his son that helped pass House Bill 1427. The child talked about his experience when he was approached by a sex offender.
“He pulled close beside me. The driver offered to put my bike in the van and take me home. I politely declined and he moved on. I rode straight home and contacted my parents. Imagine our shock, upon learning this man was a registered sex offender. Later, we learned he couldn’t be charged because his probation was limited to just one year.” The boy said.
Virginia Senate Bill 201, creates the CODI Alert Program, addressing a gap in the amber alert system-notifying local, regional and state-wide authorities, alerting children in danger.
The Critical Operation for a Disappeared Child Initiative, was named in memory of 4-year-old Codi Bigsby, who was never found after reported being missing in Jan of 2022.
“While the Amber alert is extraordinarily successful in application and results, there is a gap and sadly, it took Cody to help us all realize.” Gov. Youngkin said.
Gov. Youngkin believes the 3 new bills will improve the safety of children all across Virginia.