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2020 SPECIAL SESSION I

20200193D
SENATE BILL NO. 5053
Offered August 18, 2020
Prefiled August 17, 2020
A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-423 of the Code of Virginia, relating to burning cross on property of another or public place with intent to intimidate; penalty.
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Patron-- Reeves
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Referred to Committee on the Judiciary
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-423 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-423. Burning cross on property of another or public place with intent to intimidate; penalty; prima facie evidence of intent.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, with the intent of intimidating any person or group of persons, to burn, or cause to be burned, a cross on the property of another, a highway, or other public place. Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony Class 4 felony.

Any such burning of a cross shall be prima facie evidence of an intent to intimidate a person or group of persons.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is $0 for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities and cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.