This bill seeks to amend the existing law regarding sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian, or person in a position of trust to a child in West Virginia. The primary focus of the amendment is to include the concept of "attempt" in the definitions of criminal offenses related to sexual exploitation, sexual intercourse, sexual intrusion, or sexual contact with a child. Specifically, the bill introduces new language that states if a parent, guardian, custodian, or person in a position of trust attempts to procure, authorize, or induce another person to engage in such acts with a child, they will be guilty of a felony, subject to specific penalties based on the age of the child involved.

The bill outlines distinct penalties for those who attempt to engage in sexual offenses against children under sixteen years of age, as well as for those involving children sixteen years or older. For offenses involving children under sixteen, the penalties include imprisonment for five to fifteen years and fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. For offenses involving children sixteen years or older, the penalties include imprisonment for one to five years. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the provisions do not apply to custodians or persons in a position of trust whose age exceeds that of the child by less than four years.

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