Clarifying requirements for persons employed by Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation include contracted vendor staff

SB 828 clarifies that the existing law protecting incarcerated individuals from sexual offenses applies to contracted vendor staff working at correctional facilities, not just direct state employees. It amends West Virginia Code §61-8B-10 to explicitly include "any person employed by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation pursuant to a contract" among those prohibited from committing sexual acts with incarcerated or detained people. This change ensures vendor staff - such as those working for private companies providing services at prisons - are covered under the same felony penalties (up to $5,000 fines or 1-5 years in prison) as state employees. The bill does not create new penalties but makes the law clearer to close a potential loophole. It directly affects contracted workers at correctional facilities and strengthens protections for people in custody.