{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-52.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-52.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-52.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-52.1.html"}],"law_id":65361,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65361,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52.1","catch_line":"Possession of infectious biological substances or radiological agents; penalties","history":"1996, c. 769; 2002, cc. 588, 623, 816; 2004, c. 833; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 465.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person who possesses, with the intent thereby to injure another, an infectious biological substance or radiological agent is guilty of a Class 5 felony.B\n\nAny person who (i) destroys or damages, or attempts to destroy or damage, any facility, equipment or material involved in the sale, manufacturing, storage or distribution of an infectious biological substance or radiological agent, with the intent to injure another by releasing the substance, or (ii) manufactures, sells, gives, distributes or uses an infectious biological substance or radiological agent with the intent to injure another is guilty of a Class 4 felony.C\n\nAny person who maliciously and intentionally causes any other person bodily injury by means of an infectious biological substance or radiological agent is guilty of a felony and shall be punished by confinement in a state correctional facility for a period of not less than five years nor more than 30 years.D\n\nFor purposes of this section:\n\t\t\tAn &#8220;infectious biological substance&#8221; includes any bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or rickettsiae capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. &#8220;Infectious biological substance&#8221; does not include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or any other related virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), syphilis, or hepatitis B.\n\t\t\tA &#8220;radiological agent&#8221; includes any substance able to release radiation at levels that are capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":237627,"text":"Any person who possesses, with the intent thereby to injure another, an infectious biological substance or radiological agent 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":237628,"text":"Any person who (i) destroys or damages, or attempts to destroy or damage, any facility, equipment or material involved in the sale, manufacturing, storage or distribution of an infectious biological substance or radiological agent, with the intent to injure another by releasing the substance, or (ii) manufactures, sells, gives, distributes or uses an infectious biological substance or radiological agent with the intent to injure another is guilty of a Class 4 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":237629,"text":"Any person who maliciously and intentionally causes any other person bodily injury by means of an infectious biological substance or radiological agent is guilty of a felony and shall be punished by confinement in a state correctional facility for a period of not less than five years nor more than 30 years.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":237630,"text":"For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\tAn &#8220;infectious biological substance&#8221; includes any bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or rickettsiae capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. &#8220;Infectious biological substance&#8221; does not include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or any other related virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), syphilis, or hepatitis B.\n\t\t\tA &#8220;radiological agent&#8221; includes any substance able to release radiation at levels that are capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Assaults and Bodily Woundings","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:39","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:39","permalink":{"id":164963,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13717,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13100,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Against the Person","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":164763,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13100,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/","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":72243,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51","catch_line":"Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc","url":"\/18.2-51\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51","metadata":false},{"id":72165,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.1","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury to law-enforcement officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel; penalty; lesser-included offense","url":"\/18.2-51.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.1","metadata":false},{"id":68812,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.2","catch_line":"Aggravated malicious wounding; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.2","metadata":false},{"id":78289,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.3","catch_line":"Prohibition against reckless endangerment of others by throwing objects from places higher than one story; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.3\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.3","metadata":false},{"id":54708,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.4","catch_line":"Maiming, etc., of another resulting from driving while intoxicated","url":"\/18.2-51.4\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.4","metadata":false},{"id":71114,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.5","catch_line":"Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.5\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.5","metadata":false},{"id":75920,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.6","catch_line":"Strangulation or suffocation of another; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.6\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.6","metadata":false},{"id":87497,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.7","catch_line":"Female genital mutilation; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.7\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.7","metadata":false},{"id":60388,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury by means of any caustic substance or agent or use of any explosive or fire","url":"\/18.2-52\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52","metadata":false},{"id":65361,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52.1","catch_line":"Possession of infectious biological substances or radiological agents; penalties","url":"\/18.2-52.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.1","metadata":false},{"id":66384,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52.2","catch_line":"Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life; penalty","url":"\/18.2-52.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.2","metadata":false},{"id":63001,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-53","catch_line":"Shooting, etc., in committing or attempting a felony","url":"\/18.2-53\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-53","metadata":false},{"id":76539,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-53.1","catch_line":"Use or display of firearm in committing felony","url":"\/18.2-53.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-53.1","metadata":false},{"id":64209,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-54","catch_line":"Conviction of lesser offenses under certain indictments","url":"\/18.2-54\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54","metadata":false},{"id":58105,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-54.1","catch_line":"Attempts to poison","url":"\/18.2-54.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54.1","metadata":false},{"id":66847,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-54.2","catch_line":"Adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-54.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54.2","metadata":false},{"id":82347,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-55","catch_line":"Bodily injuries caused by prisoners, state juvenile probationers and state and local adult probationers or adult parolees","url":"\/18.2-55\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55","metadata":false},{"id":69835,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-55.1","catch_line":"Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability","url":"\/18.2-55.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55.1","metadata":false},{"id":86902,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56","catch_line":"Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56","metadata":false},{"id":75271,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.1","catch_line":"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting","url":"\/18.2-56.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.1","metadata":false},{"id":57206,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.2","catch_line":"Allowing access to firearms by children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.2","metadata":false},{"id":64628,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57","catch_line":"Assault and battery; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57","metadata":false},{"id":58241,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.01","catch_line":"Pointing laser at law-enforcement officer unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.01\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.01","metadata":false},{"id":67857,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.02","catch_line":"Disarming a law-enforcement or correctional officer; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.02\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.02","metadata":false},{"id":65560,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-57.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.1","metadata":false},{"id":72208,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.2","catch_line":"Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.2","metadata":false},{"id":59318,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.3","catch_line":"Persons charged with first offense of assault and battery against a family or household member may be placed on local community-based probation; conditions; education and treatment programs; costs and fees; violations; discharge","url":"\/18.2-57.3\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.3","metadata":false},{"id":66795,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.4","catch_line":"Reporting findings of assault and battery to military family advocacy representatives","url":"\/18.2-57.4\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.4","metadata":false},{"id":70823,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.5","catch_line":"Certain matters not to constitute defenses","url":"\/18.2-57.5\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":60388,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury by means of any caustic substance or agent or use of any explosive or fire","url":"\/18.2-52\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66384,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52.2","catch_line":"Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life; penalty","url":"\/18.2-52.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-52.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1996. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0769\">769<\/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. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2002, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0588\">588<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0623\">623<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0816\">816<\/a>; in 2004, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0833\">833<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80246,"section_number":"17.1-805","catch_line":"Adoption of initial discretionary sentencing guideline midpoints","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-805\/"},{"id":61280,"section_number":"19.2-392.02","catch_line":"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.02\/"},{"id":59437,"section_number":"65.2-402","catch_line":"Presumption as to death or disability from respiratory disease, hypertension or heart disease, cancer","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-402\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":165001,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65361,"identifier":"18.2-52.1","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.1","url":"\/18.2-52.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-52.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Possession of infectious biological substances or radiological agents; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-52.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Any person who possesses, with the <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> thereby to injure another, an <span class=\"dictionary\">infectious biological substance<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">radiological agent<\/span> is guilty of a Class 5 <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-237627\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-52.1\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> Any person who (i) destroys or <span class=\"dictionary\">damages<\/span>, or attempts to destroy or damage, any facility, equipment or <span class=\"dictionary\">material<\/span> involved in the sale, manufacturing, storage or distribution of an <span class=\"dictionary\">infectious biological substance<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">radiological agent<\/span>, with the <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to injure another by releasing the substance, or (ii) manufactures, sells, gives, distributes or uses an <span class=\"dictionary\">infectious biological substance<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">radiological agent<\/span> with the <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to injure another is guilty of a Class 4 <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-237628\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-52.1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Any person who maliciously and intentionally causes any other person bodily injury by means of an <span class=\"dictionary\">infectious biological substance<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">radiological agent<\/span> is guilty of a <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> and shall be punished by confinement in a state correctional facility for a period of not less than five years nor more than 30 years. <a id=\"paragraph-237629\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-52.1\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\tAn &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">infectious biological substance<\/span>&#8221; includes any bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or rickettsiae capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Infectious biological substance<\/span>&#8221; does not include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or any other related virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), syphilis, or hepatitis B.\n\t\t\tA &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">radiological agent<\/span>&#8221; includes any substance able to release radiation at levels that are capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. <a id=\"paragraph-237630\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-52.1\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOSSESSION OF INFECTIOUS BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES OR RADIOLOGICAL AGENTS; PENALTIES\n(\u00a7 18.2-52.1)\n\nA. Any person who possesses, with the intent thereby to injure another, an\ninfectious biological substance or radiological agent is guilty of a Class 5\nfelony.\n\nB. Any person who (i) destroys or damages, or attempts to destroy or damage, any\nfacility, equipment or material involved in the sale, manufacturing, storage or\ndistribution of an infectious biological substance or radiological agent, with\nthe intent to injure another by releasing the substance, or (ii) manufactures,\nsells, gives, distributes or uses an infectious biological substance or\nradiological agent with the intent to injure another is guilty of a Class 4\nfelony.\n\nC. Any person who maliciously and intentionally causes any other person bodily\ninjury by means of an infectious biological substance or radiological agent is\nguilty of a felony and shall be punished by confinement in a state correctional\nfacility for a period of not less than five years nor more than 30 years.\n\nD. For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\tAn &#8220;infectious biological substance&#8221; includes any bacteria,\nviruses, fungi, protozoa, or rickettsiae capable of causing death or serious\nbodily injury. &#8220;Infectious biological substance&#8221; does not include\nthe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or any other related virus that causes\nacquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), syphilis, or hepatitis B.\n\t\t\tA &#8220;radiological agent&#8221; includes any substance able to release\nradiation at levels that are capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.\n\nHISTORY: 1996, c. 769; 2002, cc. 588, 623, 816; 2004, c. 833; 2021, Sp. Sess. I,\nc. 465.","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}}