Criminal Justice

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4554: Creating Persons with Disabilities Registry

HB 4554 would establish a voluntary registry for individuals with certain disabilities - such as autism, Alzheimer’s, or Down syndrome - to help law enforcement better interact with them during encounters. People with disabilities, or their parents/guardians for minors or incapacitated adults, could enroll by providing medical certification (e.g., from a doctor or psychologist) or legal documentation (e.g., court orders or guardianship papers). The registry, maintained by local law enforcement, would include personal details and disability information but remain confidential and exempt from public disclosure. Individuals could request removal from the registry at any time, with law enforcement required to comply within five business days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes voluntary registry to improve law enforcement interactions with people with disabilities, promoting safer encounters and protecting vulnerable individuals - a form of criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Tags People with Disabilities

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

HB 4433: Prohibiting Human Smuggling and Trafficking

HB 4433 amends West Virginia law to create new criminal offenses for human smuggling (transporting undocumented people to evade enforcement) and human trafficking (recruiting or moving people for forced labor or sexual exploitation). It specifically targets individuals who transport adults or minors for these purposes, defining key terms like "coercion" and "forced labor" to clarify illegal conduct. The bill establishes penalties for these crimes, allows asset forfeiture of property used in trafficking, and requires restitution for victims. It also includes an exemption permitting medical, mental health, and legal services for undocumented individuals without criminal liability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses for human trafficking/smuggling with defined penalties, strengthening enforcement against these crimes per criminal justice policy goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 184: Prohibiting camping in public places

SB 184 prohibits camping in public places like sidewalks, streets, parks, or under bridges without permission from the managing authority, except for recreation or emergency shelter during disasters. It defines "camp" as temporarily residing with shelter (including tents or makeshift structures) and sets penalties for violations as a misdemeanor, with fines of $100-$1,000, community service, or for a first offense, a free one-way bus ticket to one of six major cities. Officers must attempt to provide alternatives - such as information on services - before issuing a citation, unless an immediate safety threat exists. The bill does not override stricter local ordinances on public camping.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of homelessness via misdemeanor penalties for camping, opposing reform by increasing punitive measures without rehabilitation focus.92% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 35: Limiting liability of employers for persons whose criminal records are expunged

This bill (SB 35) limits employer liability when an employee's criminal record for drug addiction-related offenses or diseases is expunged. It requires the state to create a database tracking these expungements and mandates courts to check this database in cases involving such employees. Employers are not required to provide health insurance or cover health care costs related to drug addiction or addiction-related diseases if the employee's record was expunged. The law specifically applies to employees participating in "return to work initiatives" for recovering addicts and does not affect employers' obligations for non-addiction-related issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes criminal justice reform by facilitating expungement benefits and reducing employment barriers for individuals with expunged drug addiction-related records.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly exempts employers from covering drug addiction-related healthcare costs when criminal records are expunged, restricting employer health coverage obligations.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill removes employer obligation to cover drug addiction health care costs for expunged records, weakening worker benefits and protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 4845: Prohibiting entry by illegal aliens

HB 4845 (West Virginia) creates new state-level criminal offenses for "illegal entry into the state" and "illegal reentry," directly affecting individuals entering West Virginia without legal authorization. Key provisions establish penalties for these offenses, prohibit probation or parole for convictions, require the Criminal Identification Bureau to maintain records of such entries, and grant immunity to officials enforcing these provisions. The bill also mandates court procedures for deportation orders and ensures prosecution continues regardless of federal immigration status. It does not address border security but defines state-level criminal liability for unauthorized entry.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses for illegal entry, prohibits probation/parole, and mandates harsh penalties - directly aligns with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates criminal offenses for 'illegal entry' and 'illegal reentry,' imposing penalties and increasing state enforcement against undocumented immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 650: Designating psychiatric hospital that treats exclusively civil and forensic patients

SB 650 amends West Virginia law to define a psychiatric hospital treating exclusively civil and forensic patients (with over 95% of its inpatient census being court-ordered forensic or civil involuntary commitments from state custody) as a "state-designated facility" for tax purposes. This change excludes such hospitals from the category of "eligible acute care hospitals" subject to a 0.75% tax on gross receipts, exempting them from this tax. The bill directly affects psychiatric hospitals in West Virginia meeting this specific patient mix requirement by altering their tax classification under the Medicaid funding structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts psychiatric hospitals from 0.75% tax on gross receipts, providing tax relief for designated facilities.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts forensic psychiatric facilities from tax, supporting infrastructure for court-ordered patients in criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts psychiatric hospitals from 0.75% tax, reducing operational costs to support mental health services for civil/forensic patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Hospitals Medicaid Mental Health

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 179: Creating crime of attempting to smuggle contraband into federal correctional institutions within state

SB 179 amends West Virginia law to explicitly include federal correctional facilities in the list of places where delivering prohibited items to inmates is illegal. It creates new criminal penalties for attempting to smuggle contraband like weapons, drugs, alcohol, escape tools, or telecommunications devices into these facilities without authorization. The bill directly affects individuals who attempt to deliver such items to inmates in federal prisons located within West Virginia, with penalties ranging from fines ($100-$5,000) to up to 10 years in prison depending on the item and intent. Key provisions specify that unauthorized deliveries of contraband, transport of prohibited items onto facility grounds, or supplying unauthorized items to inmates all constitute offenses under this law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTightens prison security by penalizing contraband smuggling into federal correctional facilities, strengthening corrections protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4920: To nullify any ATF powers by the federal government to regulate intrastate firearm sales in West Virginia

HB 4920, the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," declares federal regulations on intrastate firearm sales within West Virginia invalid, directly affecting West Virginia residents buying, selling, or transferring firearms, accessories, or ammunition within the state. It prohibits the ATF and other federal entities from enforcing rules that restrict these in-state transactions, stating such actions violate both the U.S. and West Virginia constitutions. The bill imposes civil penalties of $50,000 per violation for federal enforcement attempts and requires the West Virginia Attorney General to defend citizens prosecuted federally or sue federal agencies for violations. It also mandates state law enforcement to refuse enforcing federal gun regulations that infringe on Second Amendment rights.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill nullifies federal ATF authority over intrastate firearm sales, weakening federal law enforcement oversight on gun regulations within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 440: Increasing penalty for transporting telecommunication devices into jails

This bill amends West Virginia law to specifically prohibit transporting telecommunications devices (like cell phones) into correctional facilities, including federal prisons. It increases penalties for delivering such devices to inmates or unauthorizedly bringing them onto facility grounds, with felony charges carrying fines up to $5,000 or up to 10 years in prison, and misdemeanor charges for lesser violations. The law directly affects visitors, family members, staff, or others attempting to bring devices into jails or prisons without authorization. It expands existing restrictions by explicitly naming telecommunications devices and updating their definition within the legal framework.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for transporting devices to jails, expanding criminalization and restricting inmate access without reform focus.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts transportation of telecom devices (cell phones) into jails, increasing penalties for unauthorized access. Directly limits technology use in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Telecommunications

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4677: To require a warrant for DNR officials or officers to enter onto any private property

HB 4677 would amend West Virginia law (§20-7-4) to require natural resources police officers to obtain either a landowner's consent or a warrant before entering private property for enforcement purposes. This change directly affects landowners and DNR officers, altering current authority to enter private lands. Key provisions include adding this requirement to the officer's duties while maintaining exceptions for emergencies involving imminent threats to public safety or accidents. The bill does not change officers' existing authority to enter state-owned lands or enforce laws on public waters.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for DNR officer property entry, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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