Prohibiting civil rights violations based on disability, gender identity or sexual orientation

HB 3495 prohibits violence or intimidation based on disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation, making such acts felony crimes punishable by up to $5,000 fines or 10 years in prison. It specifically protects constitutionally protected speech and labor union activities from being used as evidence in prosecutions, while requiring judges to consider alternative sentencing like community corrections for convicted individuals. The law applies to anyone intentionally targeting others due to these characteristics when interfering with their civil rights. Key exceptions include teaching self-defense techniques and lawful labor organizing activities. This bill expands existing protections under West Virginia law to explicitly cover disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation as protected classes.