Criminal Justice

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

HB 5380: Removing the one-time limit on the expungement of certain criminal convictions

HB 5380 would remove a current restriction in West Virginia law that limits individuals to one expungement of criminal convictions. Under existing rules, people with multiple eligible convictions could only have one set of charges erased from their records. This bill would allow eligible individuals to seek expungement for multiple convictions, provided they meet other criteria like waiting periods and avoid excluded offenses (e.g., violent crimes or DUI). It directly affects people with multiple qualifying convictions who currently cannot clear all their records. The bill does not change existing waiting periods or the list of ineligible offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves one-time expungement limit, enabling multiple clean records for eligible individuals. Promotes rehabilitation, reduces recidivism barriers, and aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

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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 13, 2026

HB 5493: Provide a penalty of chemical castration or surgical castration for sex abuse crimes against minors.

HB 5493 would require West Virginia courts to offer convicted sex offenders (specifically those found guilty of crimes against minors under §61-8-12 or related statutes) a choice between hormone treatment (medroxyprogesterone acetate or MPA) or surgical castration as an additional penalty, alongside standard sentencing. Courts must first confirm a defendant's medical suitability for MPA treatment through a court-appointed expert, and the treatment duration is specified in the sentence. Refusing MPA treatment after sentencing could result in a 1-5 year prison term. The bill also mandates a prerelease risk assessment for these offenders before their release from prison.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates additional penalties (chemical/surgical castration) for sex offenders, increasing sentencing severity and reducing defendant choice per §61-8-12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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

HB 5548: Stop Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Deep Fake Media Act

HB 5548, the "Stop Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Deep Fake Media Act," prohibits distributing deepfake videos or images that falsely depict a person engaging in non-consensual sexual conduct without their permission. It targets individuals who intentionally share such content to coerce, harass, or damage reputations, with penalties including fines up to $10,000 or up to five years in prison for repeat offenses. The law explicitly excludes constitutionally protected speech like political satire, commentary, or media with clear disclosures that it is manipulated. It also allows affected individuals or officials to seek court orders to stop violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal penalties for non-consensual deepfake distribution, protecting individuals from harassment and reputational harm under criminal law, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits non-consensual deepfake distribution, protecting digital privacy and rights against tech misuse, aligning with data privacy safeguards in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Artificial Intelligence

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

HB 5246: Safe Play Act

HB 5246, the Safe Play Act, increases penalties for assaulting or battering athletic officials during sports events. The bill raises fines for assault to $500-$1,000 and for battery to $1,000-$3,000, replacing lower current penalties. It defines "athletic official" broadly to include umpires, referees, and coaches who enforce rules or supervise participants. This law directly affects offenders convicted of such acts, aiming to protect officials at sporting events.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting officials, strengthening sentencing policy within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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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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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 825: Supplementary appropriation to Department of Administration, fund 0226

This bill adds $17.6 million in funding to West Virginia's Public Defender Services (fund 0226) for fiscal year 2026. It allocates $2.6 million for "Public Defender Corporations" and $15 million for "Appointed Counsel Fees" using existing unappropriated surplus funds from the State Fund. The funding directly supports public defenders who represent indigent defendants in criminal cases, ensuring legal services for individuals who cannot afford private attorneys. The bill makes no new policy changes but redirects existing surplus state funds to this specific program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds public defenders using surplus funds, supporting essential legal services without new taxes or policy changes.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $17.6M to public defenders for indigent criminal defendants, directly funding legal representation and supporting access to justice, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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

HB 5299: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Homeland Security - Correctional Units from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance.

HB 5299 adds $84,600 to the medical expenses fund for correctional facilities under West Virginia's Department of Homeland Security (specifically the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation). This supplemental appropriation uses unspent money from the state's General Revenue fund surplus, as identified in the Governor's 2026 budget. The funds are designated solely for inmate medical care during fiscal year 2026 (ending June 30, 2026) and do not create new programs or alter existing laws. This is a routine budget adjustment reallocating existing unappropriated funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $84,600 from unspent surplus for inmate medical care, funding an essential correctional service within state budget.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $84,600 for inmate medical care in correctional facilities, directly funding a necessary corrections service within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $84,600 specifically for inmate medical care in correctional facilities, directly funding healthcare services without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Corrections

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