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2002 SESSION

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HB 453 Comprehensive Terrorism Act; penalties.

Introduced by: H. Morgan Griffith | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Virginia Comprehensive Terrorism Act; penalties. Defines "act of terrorism" and makes it a Class 2 felony for commission of the act and a Class 1 felony if someone dies as a result of the act. Additionally, the bill makes possession with the intent to injure of a chemical or nuclear substance a Class 3 felony, increases the penalties for possession or release of an infectious biological substance, increases the penalties for possession or manufacture of fire bombs and explosive devices (including "hoax explosive devices"), makes computer trespass in the commission of an act of terrorism a Class 5 felony, makes committing an act of terrorism with a firearm a separate offense, and makes obtaining unauthorized documents from DMV in conjunction with an act of terrorism a Class 4 felony. The bill also gives the Attorney General or his designee the authority to seek a wire-tap for suspected terrorists, expands the applicability of pen registers and trap and trace devices, changes the definitions of "pen register" and "trap and trace" devices, removes physical location and geographic boundary requirements from wire-tap applications, and adds to the definition of "electronic communication system." Multijurisdictional grand juries are given the authority to investigate terrorism and acts of terrorism are exempted from situations where an act is a violation of two or more laws and the conviction for one of those laws is a bar to prosecution for the others. The bill adds victims of terrorism to definition of "victims" for purposes of the victims rights provisions and adds search and rescue or EMS personnel to those law-enforcement officials in 18.2-51.1.


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