Governor Youngkin signs legislation to protect children, including CODI Alert

RICHMOND, Virginia (WAVY) – Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill on Wednesday to officially introduce Codi Alert programand two other bills to protect children from exploitation, increase penalties for child molesters and ensure a rapid response to missing or endangered children.

The warning named after Codi Bigsby, who was reported missing from his Hampton home in January 2022will enable alerts to be sent locally and nationally about a missing or endangered child whose whereabouts are unknown and whose disappearance occurs under suspicious circumstances.

This is different from an AMBER Alert, which requires detailed information about a possible hijacking.

The newly signed CODI alert would appear on phones within a 10-mile radius of the child’s home and where he or she was last seen.

“As a father of four, I know that protecting our children is a parent’s top priority,” said Governor Youngkin. “By signing these laws today, we are making further progress in ensuring the safety and well-being of our children. I am proud to sign these laws that will protect our children and hold accountable those who commit atrocities against children.”

In addition to the CODI alert, Governor Youngkin also signed SB 731which advocates for a change in the definition of child pornography to include sexually explicit images depicting minors, while clarifying that these minors do not have to be real.

“This legislation brings our child pornography code into the 21st century by closing a loophole that criminals have been able to exploit using digital technology and artificial intelligence,” said Senator Tara Durant. “On July 1, we will be able to more clearly prosecute these heinous crimes. I am so grateful to the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney for bringing this important issue to my attention.”

HB 1427 was also signed by Youngkin, which allows the court to set the period of suspension of a sentence for sexual abuse of a child under 15 to a maximum of three years.

“All of these bills will have a measurable impact on the safety of our children. HB 1427 goes directly to ensuring that those convicted of heinous crimes against children cannot easily reoffend,” said Delegate Michael Webert.