Create a Police Officer’s Bill of Rights

HB 4131, titled "Create a Police Officer’s Bill of Rights," establishes procedural protections for law enforcement officers in West Virginia. It defines "law-enforcement officer" broadly to include state police, campus police, hospital police, and others (excluding chiefs and some specialized roles), and creates specific rights during investigations, such as the right to a hearing board, protection against retaliation for reporting misconduct, and limits on disclosure of personal financial information. Key mechanisms include requiring formal hearings for complaints, prohibiting disciplinary action for exercising these rights, and ensuring officers cannot be punished for reporting issues like gross mismanagement or safety dangers. The bill supersedes conflicting local laws but does not limit a chief's authority for non-punitive management decisions.