Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 5479: Relating to prohibiting concealment of a law-enforcement officer’s identity or authority.

HB 5479 prohibits law enforcement officers from concealing their identity (e.g., by wearing masks or face coverings) during routine, warrantless stops where a person is not under arrest and there is no probable cause for a crime. This applies to non-custodial investigative stops, such as when officers briefly question individuals in public without evidence of wrongdoing. Exceptions include undercover operations, safety risks to officers, emergencies, or when authorized by law. The bill aims to increase transparency and prevent intimidation during such encounters, but does not apply to arrests or stops supported by probable cause.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to identify during routine stops, promoting transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 5408: Relating to personal information disclosure

HB 5408 would require West Virginia government entities (such as state agencies, counties, and municipalities) to obtain a court-issued warrant before sharing personal information for federal immigration enforcement. Before disclosing such data, agencies must verify with requesters - under penalty of perjury - whether the information is sought for immigration enforcement and, if so, demand a warrant from a federal or state court. The bill also mandates annual reports to the attorney general and legislature detailing the number of immigration-related requests received and how they were handled. This law directly affects local and state agencies that handle personal data, including law enforcement and social services departments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for immigration data sharing, protecting civil liberties and enhancing law enforcement accountability in data disclosure practices90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires warrant for state sharing of data with federal immigration authorities, limiting state cooperation and protecting immigrant privacy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for government disclosure of personal data, strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Data Privacy

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 5477: Relating to federal immigration enforcement.

HB 5477 requires state-supported law enforcement agencies - including county sheriffs, municipal police, and regional jails receiving state funds - to join the federal 287(g) program for immigration enforcement. Larger detention facilities must use the "Jail Enforcement Model" under this program, with a fallback to the "Warrant Service Officer Model" only if federal authorities deny the primary option. The bill mandates reporting, audits, and allows withholding of state public safety funds from noncompliant agencies. It standardizes cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in detention settings across West Virginia.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates state law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, expanding criminalization of immigration violations within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state law enforcement to join federal 287(g) program, increasing state-level immigration enforcement cooperation per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 918: Relating to civil service promotion criteria for municipal law-enforcement officers

SB 918 establishes new civil service promotion criteria for municipal law enforcement officers in West Virginia. It requires officers to complete 40 hours of leadership training before taking promotional exams, which account for 40% of their score. The bill also mandates a 40% score from a board evaluation (using 1-10 ratings on tactics/leadership questions) and 20% from seniority, with all criteria applied uniformly. This directly affects municipal police officers seeking promotions, as it standardizes the process through specific, measurable requirements set by the law. The bill applies to all municipal law enforcement agencies covered by civil service provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires 40h leadership training & structured board evaluations for promotions, enhancing accountability in law enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 5468: Allotting counties $5,000 per deputy position to only be used for deputy pay raises

HB 5468 would allocate $5,000 per deputy sheriff position in each West Virginia county from the state's general revenue fund, to be used exclusively for raising deputy sheriff salaries. Counties receiving these funds must spend them solely on pay increases for deputies, with no flexibility for other expenses like equipment or administrative costs. This bill directly affects all West Virginia counties that employ deputy sheriffs by creating a dedicated state funding stream specifically for their salary increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds exclusively for deputy sheriff pay raises, increasing public safety spending within budget constraints.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds deputy sheriff pay raises exclusively, directly supporting law enforcement resource allocation within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Law Enforcement

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 882: Establishing Blue Envelope Program to promote communication between law enforcement and community members

SB 882 establishes a "Blue Envelope Program" for drivers in West Virginia diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The bill requires the West Virginia State Police to distribute durable blue envelopes containing a clear statement of the driver's diagnosis, communication tips for officers, space for personalized needs, emergency contact information, and instructions for use during traffic stops or accidents. These envelopes will be available by mail and at state police offices, holding license and registration documents. The program explicitly states no diagnosis verification is required, and individuals providing good-faith information are granted immunity from liability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes safer law enforcement interactions for autistic drivers via communication tools during traffic stops, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

HB 5540: Relating to due process and rights

HB 5540 would require law enforcement in West Virginia to inform individuals upon arrest of three specific rights: the right to remain silent, the right to have an attorney present during questioning, and the warning that statements may be used against them in court. This bill directly affects anyone arrested for civil or criminal violations in the state by codifying standard due process warnings into state law. The key provision mandates these specific advisements be provided at the time of arrest, aligning with established legal protections. The bill does not create new rights but formally incorporates existing due process requirements into West Virginia's Code. It is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after introduction on February 16, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCodifies due process warnings (right to silence, attorney, statements use) at arrest, protecting defendant rights per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 922: Requiring public lodging establishments to provide human trafficking awareness training for employees

SB 922 requires hotels and public lodging establishments in West Virginia to provide annual human trafficking awareness training to employees who perform housekeeping or work at front desks. The bill mandates posting multilingual signs (in English, Spanish, and other prevalent local languages) by January 1, 2027, and establishing procedures for reporting suspected trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or local law enforcement. Training must cover definitions of sex and labor trafficking, how to identify victims in hotel settings, and employee reporting responsibilities. The bill explicitly states it does not create new legal claims for victims and allows the Bureau for Public Health to develop implementing rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires human trafficking awareness training and reporting procedures for lodging staff, enhancing victim identification and law enforcement response to trafficking crimes, directly supporting criminal justice efforts.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires trafficking awareness training for hospitality workers, enhancing workplace safety and protecting employees from exploitation per Labor & Employment topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 707: Relating to crimes involving abuse or desecration of human remains

This bill creates new criminal offenses for intentionally abusing or desecrating human remains, including mutilation, dismemberment, or unauthorized disposal of a deceased body or cremated remains. It establishes a base felony offense (1-5 years in prison or up to $5,000 fine) and an aggravated offense (2-10 years or $2,000-$10,000 fine) when the act involves concealment, obstruction, commercial exploitation, or connection to other felonies. The law applies to both bodies and cremated remains but exempts lawful activities by medical professionals, funeral directors, law enforcement, and researchers acting within legal authority. Prosecutions may occur in the county where the conduct happened or where the remains were discovered.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses and penalties for desecrating remains, expanding criminalization within the justice system per indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 5450: Relating to appeals of certification decisions by the Department of Homeland Security

HB 5450 would transfer responsibility for hearing appeals of certain law enforcement certification decisions from the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety to the Office of Administrative Hearings. This applies to appeals concerning denials of entry into law enforcement certification programs, denials of continued training, denials of certification reactivation, and suspensions or decertifications of officers. The bill amends state law to clarify that the Office of Administrative Hearings will handle these appeals instead of the current office, centralizing the process. This is a procedural change affecting law enforcement applicants and officers challenging certification decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransfers law enforcement certification appeal hearings to independent Office of Administrative Hearings, enhancing accountability and due process in officer certification, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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