CHAPTER 275

An Act to amend and reenact § 20-61, as amended, of the Code of
Virginia, relating to desertion or nonsupport of wife or children in
necessitous circumstances.

[H 421]

Approved March 15, 1960

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 20-61, as amended, of the Code of Virginia, be amended and
reenacted as follows:

§ 20-61. Any husband who without just cause deserts or wilfully
neglects or refuses or fails to provide for the support and maintenance of
his wife, and any parent who deserts or wilfully neglects or refuses or fails
to provide for the support and maintenance of his or her child under the
age of seventeen years, or child of whatever age who is crippled or other-
wise incapacitated for earning a living, the wife, child or children being
then and there in necessitous circumstances, shall be guilty of a misde-
meanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding
five hundred dollars, or confinement in jail not exceeding six months, or in
the case of a husband or father * by confinement on the State convict
road force at hard labor for a period of not less than ninety days nor
more than twelve months or both; or in lieu of the fine or confinement
being imposed he or she may be required to suffer a forfeiture of an amount
not exceeding the sum of one thousand dollars, and the fine or forfeiture
may be directed by the court to be paid in whole or in part to the wife
or to the guardian, curator, custodian or trustee of the minor child or
children, or to some discreet person or responsible organization designated
by the court to receive it.

2. Anemergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.