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2005 SESSION

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HB 2631 Computer crimes; changes in provisions, penalties.

Introduced by: Robert B. Bell | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Computer crimes; penalties. Revises provisions in the Virginia Computer Crimes Act relating to computer fraud and redefines computer invasion of privacy by including the unauthorized gathering of identifying information and punishes subsequent offenses and transferring the information to another or use of the information in the commission of another crime as a Class 6 felony. Currently, the offense is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Additionally, the fraudulent gathering of such information is punished as a Class 6 felony, a new crime, and transferring the information to another or use of the information in the commission of another crime is a Class 5 felony.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Computer crimes; penalties.  Modernizes the Virginia Computer Crimes Act by updating definitions to comport with changing technology, removing superfluous language and relocating language. The bill also redefines computer invasion of privacy involving the unauthorized gathering of identifying information and punishes subsequent offenses, transferring the information to another or use of the information another crime as a Class 6 felony. Currently, the offense is punishable only as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Additionally, the fraudulent gathering of such information is punished as a Class 6 felony, a new crime, and punishes transferring the information to another or use of the information another crime as a Class 5 felony.