Two party consent for legislative offices

HB 4409 establishes a legal expectation of privacy for West Virginia legislators in their private offices within the State Capitol or official legislative spaces. The bill prohibits anyone - including staff, visitors, or journalists - from recording audio, video, or electronic communications in these offices without the legislator’s prior written consent, and bans secret installation of surveillance devices. Exceptions include Capitol security measures, recordings with explicit consent, and court-authorized wiretaps. Violating these rules would be a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. The law directly affects legislators and anyone entering their offices, reinforcing privacy protections during official work.