Mandating life sentence for first degree murder of minor victim with firearm

SB 920, titled "Koda’s Law," mandates a life prison sentence without parole for anyone convicted of first-degree murder involving a minor victim (under 18) when a firearm is used. This bill directly affects defendants found guilty of this specific offense in West Virginia, replacing standard sentencing options with a mandatory life term. The key provision adds §61-2-2a to the state code, making life without parole the sole penalty for these crimes. The bill does not change murder definitions but requires automatic life sentences in these cases, removing judicial discretion for this subset of offenses.