Criminal Justice

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 16, 2026

HB 4429: Create a prison work pilot program

HB 4429 creates a pilot program for a "work/incarceration prison" in West Virginia, targeting non-violent offenders sentenced to two years or less who have not been convicted of sex-related offenses. Eligible offenders can work at the facility and earn a 20% reduction in their sentence for good conduct, but serious rule violations result in transfer to a standard facility with an additional year added to their sentence. The bill allows only one county to establish the pilot (with a $500,000 suggested initial appropriation), requires the program to be self-sustaining through offender work, and mandates an annual evaluation by the Division of Corrections to assess effectiveness and potential expansion. The program does not apply to violent offenders or those with longer sentences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes rehabilitation through work program and sentence reduction for non-violent offenders, aligning with reform goals90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4722: Relating to false judicial accusations after a determination of falsity

HB 4722 creates a new offense for knowingly making or spreading false claims in court or legal proceedings after being notified the claim is false, with intent to cause harm. It imposes criminal penalties (misdemeanor for first offense, felony for repeat) and enhanced penalties for cases leading to arrest, loss of custody, or job loss. Upon conviction, courts must order restitution, correct false records, and assist with expungement, while victims can sue for damages including triple damages for repeat violations. The bill also establishes a confidential registry for convicted individuals and includes protections for good-faith reports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents wrongful convictions by penalizing false court claims, requiring record correction/expungement, and enabling victim restitution - aligns with accountability and reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 157: Reorganizing several provisions of bail statutes

This bill reorganizes West Virginia's bail statutes to clarify procedures for pretrial release. It mandates release on recognizance (without paying bail) for most misdemeanor defendants unless they face specific offenses like violent misdemeanors, crimes against minors, or drug offenses. Judicial officers must consider factors like the nature of the offense, defendant's criminal history, and ability to pay when setting bail, while setting a maximum cash bail amount for misdemeanors. The bill removes outdated provisions about bail amounts for multiple charges and requires courts to provide specific information for recognizance releases, directly affecting misdemeanor defendants and court proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates release on recognizance for most misdemeanors, considers ability to pay, and sets max cash bail - aligns with criminal justice reform goals to reduce pretrial detention and protect defendant rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 4812: To ensure that West Virginia law enforcement entities are not compelled or commandeered by federal authorities to conduct activities that violate our citizens’ Constitutional rights

HB 4812, the West Virginia Anti-Federal Commandeering Act, prohibits federal authorities from compelling state or local law enforcement agencies to conduct activities that violate constitutional rights. It defines "commandeering" as federal control of state resources without explicit state authorization and requires such authorization for any federal request. The bill empowers the West Virginia Attorney General to challenge federal actions deemed unconstitutional and to publish model policies for law enforcement. It directly affects all West Virginia law enforcement entities, including local police departments and state agencies, by preventing federal coercion of their personnel or resources. The law aims to protect constitutional rights while allowing cooperation on lawful federal-state law enforcement efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects constitutional rights from federal overreach in law enforcement, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 601: Authorizing medical parole for certain inmates

Senate Bill 601 authorizes medical parole for West Virginia inmates with terminal illnesses, medical incapacity, or geriatric conditions (defined as age 55+ with chronic health issues requiring daily assistance). It creates a formal process where inmates or their representatives can submit a petition including a detailed medical parole plan outlining diagnosis, treatment, care location, and financial coverage. Correctional superintendents must review petitions within 72 hours of a terminal illness diagnosis and develop a plan if missing, with the commissioner making the final decision. This policy directly affects eligible incarcerated individuals meeting the defined medical criteria, offering a structured pathway for release based on health needs rather than traditional parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes medical parole for terminally ill/geriatric inmates, reducing unnecessary incarceration - a recognized criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires detailed medical parole plans including diagnosis, treatment, and care location, improving healthcare access for terminally ill inmates.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 4098: To restore the right of a person to sit on a jury has been restored upon expungement of one’s record

HB 4098 amends West Virginia law to restore jury service eligibility for individuals with expunged felony convictions. It specifically updates the disqualification rule (§52-1-8(b)(6)) to clarify that people whose felony convictions have been legally expunged are no longer disqualified from serving on juries, provided they meet other standard requirements like citizenship and residency. This directly affects West Virginians who have completed the expungement process for felony offenses, allowing them to serve on juries without restriction. The change removes a barrier to civic participation for this group while maintaining existing disqualification criteria for unexpunged convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores jury eligibility for expunged felony convictions, advancing criminal justice reform by removing barriers to civic participation and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4049: Relating to the creation of the Criminal Forfeiture Process Act replacing the West Virginia Contraband Forfeiture Act

HB 4049 replaces West Virginia's existing Contraband Forfeiture Act with a new Criminal Forfeiture Process Act specifically for property used in or derived from felony drug crimes (violations of the Controlled Substance Act). It establishes a criminal court process for forfeiture (replacing civil forfeiture), defines key terms like "contraband" (unlawful items such as drugs without prescription) and "innocent owner" (a person unaware of property use in crime), and prohibits offering seized property to federal agencies for federal forfeiture. The bill clarifies that courts handling the underlying criminal case have jurisdiction over forfeiture proceedings, and it explicitly states no property rights exist in contraband. This procedural bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, criminal defendants, and property owners involved in drug-related felony cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts forfeiture from civil to criminal process, requiring conviction and protecting innocent owners, aligns with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 538: Increasing compensation for panel attorneys

This bill increases compensation rates for panel attorneys who provide court-appointed legal services to eligible clients in West Virginia. It directly affects public defense attorneys by requiring updated payment rates and mandating detailed time-tracking records (in tenths of hours) for case work. Key provisions include setting 45-day payment timelines after voucher submission, establishing clear appeal processes for rejected or reduced payments, and requiring Public Defender Services to annually report legal services data to oversight bodies like the Legislative Oversight Commission and Supreme Court. The bill also adds new requirements for electronic voucher processing and court review of payment disputes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases compensation for public defense attorneys, improving access to quality legal representation - a core component of criminal justice reform and defendant rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4345: Relating to the preservation of missing persons records and evidence

HB 4345 requires law enforcement agencies in West Virginia to permanently retain all records and evidence for missing persons cases that remain unresolved after one year. It mandates that agencies digitize all documentation and physical/biological evidence for these cases and transmit the complete records to the West Virginia Fusion Center. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (including county and municipal departments) by establishing new requirements for record retention, digitization, and database sharing. Key provisions include banning destruction of unresolved case files, requiring secure digital storage, and ensuring evidence is preserved permanently. This applies to all missing persons cases, not just children or high-risk situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to permanently retain and digitize missing persons evidence, supporting criminal justice system integrity by preserving critical data for future investigations and prosecutions.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4886: Relating to guidelines for home confinement

HB 4886 clarifies travel permissions for individuals under home confinement in West Virginia. It specifies that people confined to their homes may travel only for essential purposes: work, medical appointments, religious services at their chosen place of worship, court-ordered activities, and grocery shopping for food and household items. The bill amends existing law to explicitly define these permitted destinations, removing ambiguity about allowable travel. This directly affects individuals sentenced to home confinement by circuit or magistrate courts. The change focuses solely on defining permitted travel, not altering sentencing terms or monitoring requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies home confinement travel rules to reduce violations and support rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by preventing unnecessary revocations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Sentencing

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