HB 5247 establishes a three-year pilot program in West Virginia schools to provide mental and behavioral health services as an alternative to suspending students for disruptive behavior. It directly affects students with disruptive behaviors, their families, and participating schools that already operate school-based health centers or have implemented the state's "expanded school mental health framework." Schools in the pilot must offer mental health services through direct hire or contracts, accept referrals from school discipline or courts, conduct assessments, involve families, and bill insurance or the school for services. The program aims to redirect students toward support instead of punishment while ensuring services are available for all levels of need.
SB 1026 creates a new criminal offense for disturbing lawful meetings, specifically increasing penalties when the disruption targets religious worship gatherings. It defines prohibited acts like obstructing meetings or making displays that outrage a group's sensibilities. Violations become a felony if committed to disrupt religious worship at tax-exempt places (including virtual meetings via video/teleconferencing), otherwise remaining a misdemeanor. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious services or gatherings, with enhanced penalties applying specifically to religious contexts. This is a policy change establishing concrete criminal penalties for targeted disruptions of religious activities.
HB 4980 would allow civil lawsuits against West Virginia judges who knowingly violate laws, hold unlawful hearings, or abuse litigants in their official duties. It requires victims to first report misconduct to a judicial oversight body, which must confirm "willful misconduct" before a lawsuit can proceed. The bill sets a five-year statute of limitations for claims and specifies remedies like financial compensation, punitive damages for severe cases, and attorney fees for successful plaintiffs. It explicitly excludes good-faith judicial decisions from liability and mandates public reporting of oversight findings.
SB 634 would legalize cannabis consumption for adults aged 21 and older in West Virginia, allowing possession of up to one ounce. It establishes a regulatory framework including county-option elections to permit cannabis manufacturing and sales, requires age verification for purchases, and maintains prohibitions on sales to minors and driving under the influence. The bill creates a licensing system for cannabis businesses, authorizes excise and local sales taxes, and directs tax revenues to a new Cannabis Transfer Tax Fund. Employers and property owners would retain the right to prohibit cannabis use, and the bill explicitly states it does not affect the existing Medical Cannabis Act.
HB 4414 amends West Virginia's Sex Offender Registration Act to clarify and update registration requirements for individuals convicted of specific sexual offenses. It directly affects people convicted under sections of the state code covering sexual assault, trafficking, and other related crimes, requiring them to register in person with detailed personal information including current address, employment, school details, internet accounts, and vehicle ownership. Key provisions specify that registrants must update information within 10 days of changes and clarify how those without permanent residence can comply by providing transient addresses. The bill removes outdated definitions and ensures consistent registration procedures across all cases, without creating new penalties or changing offense classifications.
SB 500 amends West Virginia's sex offender registration law to prohibit individuals convicted of specified sex offenses from residing within 1,000 feet of any school, park, or playground. This applies to all sex offenders required to register under existing law (including those convicted of offenses listed in §15-12-2(b) of the West Virginia Code). The bill adds this spatial restriction to current registration requirements, requiring offenders to maintain this distance from designated locations. It does not change registration procedures but adds a new residency limitation for affected individuals.
SJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow adults 21 and older in West Virginia to possess up to two ounces of cannabis or four plants for personal use. It would authorize the state legislature to create regulations for cannabis sales and manufacturing, and require courts to dismiss or expunge prior convictions for possessing small amounts of cannabis. This amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election before taking effect. If approved, it would enable future legislation to establish a regulated cannabis market while clearing past minor cannabis-related records.
SB 602 requires repeat DUI offenders in West Virginia to carry a special identification card indicating they are prohibited from purchasing alcohol. The card must feature a prominent red stripe and the words "No Alcohol Sale" on its front. This applies to individuals identified as "interdicted persons" under the law, meaning those legally barred from alcohol sales due to DUI convictions. The bill establishes the card's design, application process, and enforcement mechanisms for businesses to verify compliance. It does not change DUI penalties but creates a new identification requirement for affected individuals.
HB 4609 allows magistrates to require mental health evaluations for defendants charged with specific offenses: violating protective orders (§48-27-903), personal safety orders (§53-8-11), or making threats of terroristic acts (§61-6-24), before setting bail. The bill requires the evaluation to be scheduled within 10 days, with a report to the magistrate within 48 hours, followed by a bond hearing within five days of receiving the report. This process aims to determine if mental health treatment or counseling is needed as a condition of bond. The bill directly affects defendants in these three offense categories appearing before magistrates in West Virginia.
HB 4147 makes it unlawful for anyone under 21 to possess or use tobacco products in West Virginia. The bill imposes escalating penalties for violations: a $50 fine and eight hours of community service for a first offense, increasing to $200 and 24 hours for third or subsequent offenses. It includes an exception allowing minors assisting with tobacco compliance inspections to avoid penalties. The law directly affects individuals under 21 who possess or use tobacco products, with no mention of additional exemptions beyond the inspection exception.
