{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-356.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-356.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-356.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-356.1.html"}],"law_id":81938,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81938,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-356.1","catch_line":"Purchasing or selling of minors; exceptions; penalties","history":"2023, c. 359.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person who offers money or other valuable thing to another for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise obtaining custody or control of a minor and thereafter does any substantial act in furtherance thereof is guilty of a Class 5 felony.B\n\nAny parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody or control of a minor who receives any money or other valuable thing for or on account of selling or otherwise transferring custody or control of such minor, or offers to sell or otherwise transfer custody or control of such minor, is guilty of a Class 5 felony.C\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to any person (i) entering into a surrogacy contract pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 9 (§ 20-156 et seq.) of Title 20, (ii) seeking to adopt a child or place his child for adoption pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 12 (§ 63.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 63.2, or (iii) who is a person with a legitimate interest as defined in § 20-124.1 in such minor.D\n\nA violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. If the acts or activities violating this section also violate another provision of law, a prosecution under this section shall not prohibit or bar any prosecution or proceeding under such other provision or the imposition of any penalties provided for thereby.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":293586,"text":"Any person who offers money or other valuable thing to another for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise obtaining custody or control of a minor and thereafter does any substantial act in furtherance thereof is guilty of a Class 5 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":293587,"text":"Any parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody or control of a minor who receives any money or other valuable thing for or on account of selling or otherwise transferring custody or control of such minor, or offers to sell or otherwise transfer custody or control of such minor, is guilty of a Class 5 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":293588,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person (i) entering into a surrogacy contract pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 9 (§ 20-156 et seq.) of Title 20, (ii) seeking to adopt a child or place his child for adoption pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 12 (§ 63.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 63.2, or (iii) who is a person with a legitimate interest as defined in § 20-124.1 in such minor.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":293589,"text":"A violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. If the acts or activities violating this section also violate another provision of law, a prosecution under this section shall not prohibit or bar any prosecution or proceeding under such other provision or the imposition of any penalties provided for thereby.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14023,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commercial Sex Trafficking, Prostitution, etc","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14022,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","permalink":{"id":167659,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14023,"identifier":"3","token":"18.2\/8\/3","url":"\/18.2\/8\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14022,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Morals and Decency","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","permalink":{"id":167393,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14022,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/8","url":"\/18.2\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55113,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-344","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-344\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-344","metadata":false},{"id":68451,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-345","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-345\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-345","metadata":false},{"id":79810,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346","catch_line":"Prostitution; commercial sexual conduct; penalties","url":"\/18.2-346\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346","metadata":false},{"id":57611,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346.01","catch_line":"Prostitution; solicitation; commercial exploitation of a minor; penalties","url":"\/18.2-346.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346.01","metadata":false},{"id":77563,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346.1","catch_line":"Testing of convicted prostitutes and injection drug users for sexually transmitted infection","url":"\/18.2-346.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346.1","metadata":false},{"id":85705,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-347","catch_line":"Keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place; \"bawdy place\" defined; penalty","url":"\/18.2-347\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-347","metadata":false},{"id":83161,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-348","catch_line":"Aiding prostitution or illicit sexual intercourse, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-348\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-348","metadata":false},{"id":85373,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-348.1","catch_line":"Promoting travel for prostitution; penalty","url":"\/18.2-348.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-348.1","metadata":false},{"id":85342,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-349","catch_line":"Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse; penalty","url":"\/18.2-349\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-349","metadata":false},{"id":72571,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-350","catch_line":"Confinement of convicted prostitutes and persons violating \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-347 through 18.2-349","url":"\/18.2-350\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-350","metadata":false},{"id":62371,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-351","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-351\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-351","metadata":false},{"id":57027,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-354","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/18.2-354\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-354","metadata":false},{"id":57212,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-355","catch_line":"Taking, detaining, etc., person for prostitution, etc., or consenting thereto; human trafficking","url":"\/18.2-355\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-355","metadata":false},{"id":59657,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-356","catch_line":"Receiving money for procuring person; penalties","url":"\/18.2-356\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356","metadata":false},{"id":81938,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-356.1","catch_line":"Purchasing or selling of minors; exceptions; penalties","url":"\/18.2-356.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356.1","metadata":false},{"id":62200,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-357","catch_line":"Receiving money from earnings of male or female prostitute; penalties","url":"\/18.2-357\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-357","metadata":false},{"id":76497,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-357.1","catch_line":"Commercial sex trafficking; penalties","url":"\/18.2-357.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-357.1","metadata":false},{"id":59589,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-358","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-358\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-358","metadata":false},{"id":71784,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-359","catch_line":"Venue for criminal sexual assault or where any person transported for criminal sexual assault, attempted criminal sexual assault, or purposes of unlawful sexual intercourse, crimes against nature, and indecent liberties with children; venue for such crimes when coupled with a violent felony","url":"\/18.2-359\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-359","metadata":false},{"id":61388,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-360","catch_line":"Competency of persons to testify in prosecutions under \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-355 through 18.2-361","url":"\/18.2-360\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-360","metadata":false},{"id":55287,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361","catch_line":"Crimes against nature; penalty","url":"\/18.2-361\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361","metadata":false},{"id":68045,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361.01","catch_line":"Sexual abuse of animals; penalties","url":"\/18.2-361.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.01","metadata":false},{"id":71996,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361.1","catch_line":"Victims of sex trafficking; affirmative defense","url":"\/18.2-361.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59657,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-356","catch_line":"Receiving money for procuring person; penalties","url":"\/18.2-356\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":62200,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-357","catch_line":"Receiving money from earnings of male or female prostitute; penalties","url":"\/18.2-357\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-357","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-356.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2023. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 359<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":60825,"section_number":"20-124.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-124.1\/"},{"id":82276,"section_number":"20-156","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-156\/"},{"id":67454,"section_number":"63.2-1200","catch_line":"Who may place children for adoption","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1200\/"}],"permalink":{"id":167717,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81938,"identifier":"18.2-356.1","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356.1","url":"\/18.2-356.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-356.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Purchasing or selling of minors; exceptions; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-356.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any person who offers money or other valuable thing to another for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise obtaining custody<\/span> or control of a minor<\/span> and thereafter does any substantial act in furtherance thereof is guilty of a Class 5 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody<\/span> or control of a minor<\/span> who receives any money or other valuable thing for or on account of selling or otherwise transferring custody<\/span> or control of such minor<\/span>, or offers to sell or otherwise transfer custody<\/span> or control of such minor<\/span>, is guilty of a Class 5 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person (i) entering into a surrogacy contract<\/span> pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 9 (§ 20-156<\/a> et seq.) of Title 20, (ii) seeking to adopt a child or place his child for adoption pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 12 (§ 63.2-1200<\/a> et seq.) of Title 63.2, or (iii) who is a person with a legitimate interest as defined in § 20-124.1<\/a> in such minor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense<\/span>. If the acts or activities violating this section also violate another provision of law<\/span>, a prosecution<\/span> under this section shall not prohibit or bar any prosecution<\/span> or proceeding under such other provision or the imposition of any penalties provided for thereby. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPURCHASING OR SELLING OF MINORS; EXCEPTIONS; PENALTIES (\u00a7 18.2-356.1)\n\nA. Any person who offers money or other valuable thing to another for the\npurpose of purchasing or otherwise obtaining custody or control of a minor and\nthereafter does any substantial act in furtherance thereof is guilty of a Class\n5 felony.\n\nB. Any parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody or control of a\nminor who receives any money or other valuable thing for or on account of\nselling or otherwise transferring custody or control of such minor, or offers to\nsell or otherwise transfer custody or control of such minor, is guilty of a\nClass 5 felony.\n\nC. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person (i) entering\ninto a surrogacy contract pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 9 (§ 20-156\net seq.) of Title 20, (ii) seeking to adopt a child or place his child for\nadoption pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 12 (§ 63.2-1200 et seq.) of\nTitle 63.2, or (iii) who is a person with a legitimate interest as defined in\n§ 20-124.1 in such minor.\n\nD. A violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.\nIf the acts or activities violating this section also violate another provision\nof law, a prosecution under this section shall not prohibit or bar any\nprosecution or proceeding under such other provision or the imposition of any\npenalties provided for thereby.\n\nHISTORY: 2023, c. 359.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}