Criminal Justice (Corrections)

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

HB 5094: Prohibiting the private ownership or operation of a prison

HB 5094 bans private ownership and operation of prisons in West Virginia, effective July 1, 2026. The bill prohibits private companies from running correctional facilities, removing existing approval requirements for private prison operations that would otherwise apply. It explicitly allows state-run facilities and specifies that foreign court inmates sentenced abroad cannot be held in private prisons. This directly affects private prison companies operating in West Virginia and changes the state's correctional system by eliminating private contracting for prison management.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans private prisons, shifting to state-run facilities aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing profit-driven corrections and enhancing accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1016: Creating Second Look Sentencing Act

SB 1016, the "Second Look Sentencing Act," allows West Virginia judges to reconsider prison sentences of 10+ years for individuals who committed offenses before age 25 and have served at least 10 years. The bill requires courts to evaluate factors like rehabilitation efforts, maturity, victim input, and the defendant's age at the time of the crime before reducing a sentence. If approved, sentences may be reduced to time served or modified with up to five years of supervised release, while ensuring defendants have a right to a hearing with appointed counsel. The law specifically targets young offenders whose circumstances may have changed significantly after a decade in prison, aiming to balance public safety with opportunities for reintegration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables judicial review of long sentences for youthful offenders post-rehabilitation, reducing recidivism and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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

HB 5156: Second Look Sentencing Act

HB 5156, the Second Look Sentencing Act, allows West Virginia judges to reconsider prison sentences exceeding 10 years for individuals who have served at least a decade. To qualify, a person must demonstrate they are not a danger, pose no credible risk of reoffending, show readiness for reentry, and meet the interests of justice. The court must consider factors like rehabilitation progress, age at offense and petition, victim input, and completion of correctional programs before modifying the sentence, with a presumption of release for applicants aged 50 or older. Any sentence modification requires up to five years of supervised release post-release, and denied applicants may reapply under specific time limits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows judges to reconsider long sentences based on rehabilitation progress and reduced recidivism risk, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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

HB 4974: Relating generally to persons porhibited from possessing firearms.

HB 4974 amends West Virginia law to clarify and expand the categories of people prohibited from legally owning or carrying firearms. It directly affects individuals with certain felony convictions (especially violent or drug-related offenses), those found mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed, unlawful drug users, people subject to specific domestic violence protective orders (requiring findings of credible threat or explicit force prohibitions), and others with disqualifying legal histories. The bill specifies penalties: misdemeanor fines/jail time for first-time violations of prohibitions, and felony charges with longer prison terms for repeat offenses or violations by those prohibited under stricter categories. It also maintains the process for eligible individuals to petition courts to restore firearm rights after meeting strict criteria.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands firearm prohibitions to additional categories (felony convicts, domestic violence cases), increasing restrictions on gun access, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanding criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Firearms

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vetoed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

HB 4893: Increase the penalties for contempt of court in a magistrate court

HB 4893 increases penalties for contempt of court in West Virginia magistrate courts. It raises maximum fines for contempt: from $50 to $200 for a first offense, $100 to $500 for a second offense, and $100 to $1,000 (or up to 10 days in jail) for a third or subsequent offense related to the same matter. The bill applies directly to individuals disrupting court proceedings, including witnesses, jurors, parties, or officers who commit contempt. These changes take effect for offenses occurring after the bill's passage, with appeals still allowed to circuit court as in criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for contempt of court, expanding criminalization and increasing punitive measures against court disruptions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Judges

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

HB 4712: Increasing the criminal penalties for DUI causing death to be known as “Baylea’s Law.”

HB 4712, known as "Baylea's Law," increases criminal penalties for drivers convicted of DUI that causes death or injury in West Virginia. It raises prison sentences to 3-30 years for DUI causing death (up from prior limits), 2-10 years for serious bodily injury, and up to 1 year for lesser bodily injury. The bill also mandates license revocation for 10 years (or permanently) for DUI causing death, 5 years for serious injury, and 2 years for minor injuries, with options to reinstate through a "test and lock program." This law directly affects drivers convicted of DUI-related offenses resulting in harm to others, including minors or fetuses as defined by the law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison sentences and license revocations for DUI offenses, expanding criminal penalties rather than promoting reform or reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

HB 4085: To increase penalties for selling or facilitating the sale of alcohol to a minor.

HB 4085 increases criminal penalties for selling or facilitating alcohol sales to minors under 21 in West Virginia. It amends sections of the state code (§11-16-18, §11-16-19, and §60-3A-24) to raise fines and potential jail time for licensees, employees, or others who sell or provide alcohol to underage individuals. The bill directly affects bars, restaurants, and retailers that serve alcohol, as well as staff who violate these rules. Key provisions include stricter enforcement of existing prohibitions against serving minors and enhanced penalties for violations. The bill aims to strengthen deterrence against underage alcohol access without changing the underlying prohibition.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for underage alcohol sales, expanding criminalization of minor offenses under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

HB 4829: Make speeds that exceed 30MPH over the speed limit reckless driving

HB 4829 amends West Virginia law to define driving more than 30 miles per hour over posted speed limits as reckless driving. This directly affects drivers who exceed speed limits by 30+ mph on public roads, school zones, state parks, or educational institution properties. The bill establishes penalties: a first offense carries up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses or if the speeding causes serious injury. Exceptions include temporarily closed racing events and designated recreational vehicle areas within state parks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for speeding by reclassifying 30+MPH over limits as reckless driving, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill language.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by defining excessive speeding as reckless driving, imposing penalties to deter dangerous behavior on roads, directly advancing public safety within transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Traffic Safety

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