Chap. 157.-An ACT for the protection of patients and inmates of State hos-
‘pitals and colonies for the insane, epileptic and feeble-minded from im-
proper and unlawful marriages and providing punishment for violation of
this act. [S B 162]

Approved March 10, 1920.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That if any
man or woman shall knowingly marry any person lawfully adjudged
to be insane, epileptic, or feeble-minded, and duly admitted as a patient
or inmate in any State hospital or colony for the insane, epileptic or
feeble-minded, whether such person be actually confined in a hospital
or colony or in the custody of some person on bond or furlough or
at large as an escaped patient or inmate, he or she shall be guilty of
misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be confined in jail not
exceeding six months or fined not exceeding five hundred dollars, or
both. Any such marriage, if knowingly attempted to be entered into,
shall be absolutely void without any decree of divorce or other legal
process. Furthermore, if any persons, resident of this State, one of
whom is a lawfully committed and undischarged patient or inmate of
any State hospital or colony for the insane, epileptic, or feeble-minded,
as above provided, shall, with the intention of returning to reside in
this State, go into another State or country and there knowingly
intermarry and return to and reside in this State, cohabiting as man
and wife, such marriage shall be governed by the same law, in all
respects, as if it had been solemnized in this State.

2. An emergency existing by reason of the immediate necessity
for the protection of patjents and inmates of State hospitals and col-
onies for the insane, epileptic and feeble-minded from improper and
unlawful marriages, this act shall be in force from its passage.