Criminal Justice

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 941: Making certain agreements prohibiting information sharing related to sexual abuse unenforceable

SB 941 makes certain non-disclosure agreements related to sexual abuse unenforceable in West Virginia. It voids clauses in contracts (including employment, settlement, or confidentiality agreements) that prohibit disclosing acts of sexual abuse or related information. The law applies to all such agreements made before, during, or after the bill’s effective date. However, it does not prevent confidentiality around settlement amounts or victim identities, which remain protected. This directly affects survivors, employers, and organizations that use or enforce such agreements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to disclosing sexual abuse by voiding unenforceable NDAs, protecting victims' rights and enhancing accountability in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

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

HB 5400: Relating generally to punishment for child neglect resulting in death.

HB 5400 increases criminal penalties for child neglect resulting in death in West Virginia. It raises the minimum prison sentence from 3 to 10 years for offenders convicted of causing a child's death through neglect when both a fine and imprisonment are imposed. The bill also clarifies that religious healing methods meeting IRS criteria for medical expenses do not count as neglect (but this exception does not apply to professionals like teachers or doctors responsible for a child's health). Additionally, it specifies that interfering with court-ordered medical treatment is considered neglect under this law. The bill directly affects parents, guardians, custodians, and others in positions of trust responsible for a child's well-being.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases minimum prison sentence from 3 to 10 years for child neglect resulting in death, expanding criminal penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5138: Relating to law enforcement warrant for third party information

HB 5138 requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing most personal information held by internet and phone companies, such as names, addresses, payment details, and call records. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and telecommunications providers by mandating judicial oversight for these data requests during criminal investigations. The bill allows warrantless access only in specific emergencies (e.g., imminent risk of death, kidnapping, or human trafficking), with subscriber consent, or if the data is publicly accessible. This replaces current practices where such third-party records could often be obtained without a warrant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, enhancing judicial oversight and protecting civil liberties during investigations per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates warrants for law enforcement data access, strengthening consumer data privacy protections per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Telecommunications

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5361: Relating to federal law enforcement in specific locations

HB 5361 would prevent state and local law enforcement officers in West Virginia from conducting immigration-related arrests, detentions, or surveillance in sensitive locations like schools, places of worship, hospitals, courthouses, and facilities serving vulnerable populations (e.g., victims of abuse or individuals with disabilities). The bill defines these "sensitive locations" and prohibits immigration enforcement actions there, except when a court orders entry or an imminent public safety threat requires intervention. This directly affects how state/local officers interact with immigration enforcement in these settings. The law does not restrict federal immigration enforcement actions but limits state/local cooperation in protected locations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement from immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, protecting vulnerable populations and enhancing accountability - aligns with civil rights and oversight indicators in criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits immigration enforcement in hospitals, protecting healthcare access and patient safety in medical facilities.80% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local enforcement in sensitive locations, limiting cooperation with federal immigration actions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

HB 5443: Relating to the reimbursement for panel attorneys and guardian ad litems

HB 5443 increases compensation rates for panel attorneys and guardian ad litem professionals working in West Virginia's public defender and child welfare cases. It requires the Public Defender Services to pay approved vouchers within 45 business days, establishes clearer rules for submitting and reviewing billing records, and creates a formal process for resolving payment disputes. The bill also adds new definitions related to child abuse cases and expands when courts may skip "reasonable efforts" to keep families together. These changes directly affect legal professionals appointed in public defender cases and child welfare proceedings. The bill focuses on streamlining payment processes and clarifying requirements for court-appointed legal services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases compensation for public defenders/guardians in juvenile cases, ensuring timely payments and improving legal representation quality within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

HB 5341: To create a domestic violence registry

HB 5341 creates a public registry of domestic violence offenders in West Virginia, maintained by the State Police and accessible online. Individuals convicted of domestic violence against an intimate partner (with at least one prior conviction) or of sexual assault, abuse, or causing serious bodily injury must register and pay a $150 fee, with $50 funding family court services and $100 supporting domestic violence legal aid. The registry includes basic identifying details like name, date of birth, and conviction dates but excludes sensitive information such as addresses or Social Security numbers. Removal from the registry occurs after 5 years for one prior conviction, 10 years for two prior convictions or severe offenses, or for life with three or more prior convictions, applying to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates domestic violence offender registry and funds legal aid/domestic violence services, advancing victim protection and court support within criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Policing

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

HB 5473: Relating to providing a civil remedy when a federal officer or employee violates a constitutional right.

HB 5473 creates a civil remedy in West Virginia for individuals harmed when a federal officer or employee violates constitutional rights while acting outside their official duties. It allows residents to sue such federal personnel in state court for constitutional violations (like free speech or due process) that exceed their lawful authority, but only when federal courts would not handle the case under 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d). The bill explicitly states it does not waive federal immunity or replace existing federal lawsuits, and applies only to conduct deemed "outside the scope of employment" under federal law. This policy change provides a state-level legal avenue for constitutional claims against federal actors in specific circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates civil remedy for constitutional violations by federal officers, enhancing accountability aligned with criminal justice reform indicators.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 863: Increasing fees to be paid by parolees based on his or her ability to pay

West Virginia's SB 863 increases the maximum monthly fee parolees must pay for supervision from $40 to $50, based on their ability to pay. The bill requires the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation to assess factors like income, assets, debts, and essential expenses when determining individual fees. This change directly affects parolees in West Virginia by raising the upper limit for supervision fees while maintaining the requirement that fees remain affordable based on each person's financial situation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases parolee fees while requiring ability-to-pay assessments, reducing financial burden on low-income individuals and aligning with reform goals to prevent recidivism through affordable supervision.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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

HB 5471: To provide pay increases to members of the judiciary

HB 5471 increases annual salaries for West Virginia judges and magistrates, effective July 1, 2026. It raises magistrates' pay to $75,880 (from $63,250), Supreme Court justices to $154,600 (from $149,600), circuit judges to $143,600 (from $138,600), and family court judges to $126,424 (from $103,950). The bill also clarifies retirement contribution rules for judicial positions. These changes directly affect all active state judges and magistrates, with no county-level funding required for these salary adjustments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases judicial salaries and clarifies retirement rules for courts, directly funding a core component of the criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HJR 37: Amending Constitution to allow for possession, manufacture and sale of cannabis

HJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older in West Virginia. It would allow possession of up to two ounces of cannabis or four plants per person, permit the legislature to regulate sales and manufacturing, and require courts to dismiss or expunge prior convictions for small-quantity possession. This amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. If approved, it would directly affect adults 21+ and individuals with past cannabis possession convictions. The bill does not establish specific regulations but authorizes the legislature to create them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpunges prior small-quantity possession convictions and reduces criminalization of cannabis, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing recidivism and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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