HB 2894 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Prohibiting human trafficking of illegal aliens

HB 2894 amends West Virginia's human trafficking laws by adding a definition for "illegal alien" (an individual without legal U.S. immigration status) and specifying that such individuals are not eligible for restitution in trafficking cases. The bill updates definitions in sections covering coercion, forced labor, and trafficking to explicitly include "illegal alien" as a term. It does not create new trafficking prohibitions but clarifies that victims without legal status cannot receive restitution payments under the law. This affects individuals without legal immigration status who may be victims of trafficking in West Virginia. The bill focuses solely on definitional changes and restitution eligibility, not on enforcement or new criminal penalties.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 24, 2025 Last action Apr 1, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

hb2894 hfa ridenour 3-27 _1 adopted.htm hb2894 hfat akers 3-31 adopted.htm · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill's title was amended to expand its scope, now explicitly including human smuggling of adults and minors, creating new crimes, and adding definitions for illegal aliens and immediate family members. The revised title also clarifies provisions regarding parole ineligibility for certain offenses and restitution rules for illegal aliens.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include human smuggling of adults and minors, creating new crimes and adding definitions for illegal aliens and immediate family members.
SCOPE

The bill title was changed to include human smuggling of adults and minors, creating new crimes and adding definitions for illegal aliens and immediate family members.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'illegal alien' and 'immediate family member'.

ENFORCEMENT

Provisions were added regarding parole ineligibility for individuals convicted of offenses under the article when the victim is a minor.

ELIGIBILITY

Provisions were added stating that illegal aliens are not eligible for restitution, with exceptions for medical, mental health, and legal services.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 31, 2025

How they voted

961
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 100
Mar 31, 2025
D Democratic9
8 Yea 1 Nay
88% Yea
R Republican91
88 Yea 3
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 272)
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
By substitute, do pass
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors