Prosecutor FOIA Bill

HB 5621, the "Prosecutor FOIA Bill," would amend West Virginia law to explicitly exempt records held by prosecuting attorneys related to criminal investigations from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. This change would prevent the public from accessing case files, investigative materials, and other documents maintained by county prosecutors' offices. The bill specifically targets the exemption for "records and materials relating to the detection and investigation of crime which are received and maintained by a prosecuting attorney," making this provision clearer and more specific. As a result, the public would have fewer avenues to obtain such records through FOIA requests.