Bill Text: VA HB2170 | 2019 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: False caller identification information; penalty.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 4-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-03-18 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0476) [HB2170 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HB2170-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-429.1 as follows:
§18.2-429.1. False caller identification information; penalty.
A. For the purposes of this section:
"Caller identification information" means data that identifies the identity of the caller or the caller's telephone number to the recipient of a telephone call or to the recipient's telephone network.
"False caller identification information" means data that misrepresents the identity of the caller or the caller's telephone number to the recipient of a telephone call or to the recipient's telephone network.
B. Any person who, with the intent to defraud, intimidate, or harass, causes a telephone to ring and engages in conduct that results in the display of false caller identification information on the called party's telephone is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent conviction under this subsection is punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor if the prior conviction occurred before the date of the offense charged.
C. This section shall not apply to:
1. The blocking of caller identification information;
2. Any law-enforcement agencies or any law-enforcement officer while he is engaged in the performance of his official duties;
3. Any intelligence or security agency of the federal government or any employee of such agency while he is engaged in the performance of his official duties; or
4. Any telecommunications, broadband, or Voice-over-Internet protocol service provider that is (i) acting in its capacity as an intermediary for the transmission of telephone service between the caller and the recipient, (ii) providing or configuring a service or service feature as requested by a customer, (iii) acting in a manner that is authorized or required by law, or (iv) engaging in other conduct that is a necessary incident to the provision of service.
