Display of obscene material to minor; Class 6 felony
Summary
Virginia SB778 was signed into law on April 6, 2026, creating a Class 6 felony for any person 18 years of age or older who displays obscene material to a minor younger than 13 years of age with lascivious intent. The new law expands upon prior law which only prohibited display of child pornography or grooming materials. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
What changed
Virginia SB778 adds a new Class 6 felony offense for adults who display obscene material to children under 13 with lascivious intent. The prior law only addressed child pornography and grooming materials. This represents a significant expansion of criminal liability for conduct involving minors.\n\nEmployers, educational institutions, nonprofits serving youth, and parents with minor children in Virginia should ensure compliance with the new requirements by July 1, 2026. Any person 18 years or older in Virginia could face felony charges for violating this statute.
What to do next
- Review policies prohibiting display of obscene material to minors
- Update compliance training to address new felony penalties
- Ensure staff and volunteers working with minors are aware of the expanded criminal liability
Penalties
Class 6 felony: 1-5 years imprisonment and/or fine up to $2,500
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Virginia / SB778 Signed by Governor SB778 Senate Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-06
Display of obscene material to a minor unlawful; penalty.
Display of obscene material to a minor unlawful; penalty. Makes it a Class 6 felony for any person 18 years of age or older to display obscene material, as defined in relevant law, to a minor younger than 13 years of age with lascivious intent. Current law only prohibits the display of child pornography or a grooming video or materials to a child younger than 13 years of age by a person 18 years of age or older.
Bill Details
State Virginia
Session 2026 Regular Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB778
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Mark Obenshain (Sen - R)
Action History
2026-04-06 Approved by Governor-Chapter 348 (effective 7/1/2026) 2026-04-06 Approved by Governor-Chapter 348 (effective 7/1/2026) 2026-03-17 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB778) 2026-03-14 Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 2026-03-14 S Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 2026-03-13 S Signed by President 2026-03-13 H Signed by Speaker 2026-03-13 S Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB778ER) 2026-03-13 S Enrolled 2026-03-09 H Passed House (96-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-03-09 H Read third time 2026-03-06 H Read second time 2026-03-04 H Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N) 2026-03-03 H Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety 2026-03-02 H Reported from Courts of Justice and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N) 2026-02-25 H Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (10-Y 0-N) 2026-02-24 H Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice 2026-02-24 H Read first time 2026-02-24 H Placed on Calendar 2026-02-23 H Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal 2026-02-13 S Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-13 S Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-13 S Rules suspended 2026-02-13 S Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote) 2026-02-13 S Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to 2026-02-13 S Read second time 2026-02-12 S Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) 2026-02-12 S Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-12 S Rules suspended 2026-02-11 S Reported from Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N) 2026-02-09 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB778) 2026-02-06 S Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/6/2026 10:47 am) 2026-02-06 S Committee substitute printed 26107281D-S1 2026-02-04 S Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N) 2026-01-23 S Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/23/2026 3:08 pm) 2026-01-23 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB778) 2026-01-22 S Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice 2026-01-22 S Presented and ordered printed 26105663D
Votes
2026-02-04 Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N) Yea: 14 Nay: 0 2026-02-11 Reported from Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N) Yea: 14 Nay: 0 2026-02-12 Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 40 Nay: 0 2026-02-13 Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 38 Nay: 0 2026-02-13 Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 38 Nay: 0 2026-02-25 Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (10-Y 0-N) Yea: 10 Nay: 0 2026-03-02 Reported from Courts of Justice and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N) Yea: 22 Nay: 0 2026-03-04 Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N) Yea: 22 Nay: 0 2026-03-09 Passed House (96-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 96 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-22 S Courts of Justice 2026-02-04 S Finance and Appropriations 2026-02-23 H Courts of Justice: Criminal 2026-02-24 H Courts of Justice 2026-03-02 H Appropriations 2026-03-03 H Appropriations: Transportation & Public Safety
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-22 Introduced 2026-02-06 Comm Sub 2026-03-13 Enrolled Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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