Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure
SB 121 creates a new felony offense for indecent exposure involving minors in West Virginia, specifically requiring exposure of genitals (penis, vagina, or anus) to children under 14. It mandates sex offender registration for convictions, increases penalties for repeat offenses (including fines and imprisonment), and removes the breastfeeding exemption due to clearer definitions. The bill amends West Virginia Code sections §61-8-9 and §61-11-18 to define the offense, establish registration requirements under the Sex Offender Registration Act (§15-12-2), and classify it as a qualifying offense for enhanced sentencing. This directly affects individuals convicted of exposing genitals to minors, with stricter consequences for multiple violations.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2025
Last action Mar 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced Version
→
Committee Substitute
·
5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to significantly expand the scope of indecent exposure penalties, adding a new felony offense for exposing oneself to minors and requiring sex offender registration for third offenses. The Committee Substitute also added provisions for recidivist sentencing enhancements and clarified definitions of indecent exposure. These changes increase public safety protections for minors and create stricter consequences for repeat offenders.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from covering general indecent exposure to specifically targeting exposure to minors as a separate felony offense, and added registration requirements for those convicted of the new felony offense.
SCOPE
New felony offense created for indecent exposure in front of minors (under 16 years of age)
REQUIREMENT
Sex offender registration now required for those convicted of the new felony offense involving minors
ENFORCEMENT
Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, with third offenses now classified as felonies
Recidivist sentencing enhancements added for qualifying offenses including the new indecent exposure felony
DEFINITION
Clarified definition of indecent exposure to specifically require exposure of nude penis, vagina, or anus
Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2025
How they voted
32–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Mar 10, 2025
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican31
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 78)
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee substitute reported
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Ryan Weld
RRepublican
Co
Mike Woelfel
DDemocratic
Co
Vince Deeds
RRepublican
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