SB 103 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Creating private cause of action for deprivation of right granted by state constitution or by state law

SB 103 would allow any West Virginian to sue if their rights under the state constitution or state law are violated by a government official or entity acting under state authority. The bill permits lawsuits seeking compensatory, nominal, and punitive damages, and requires courts to award attorney fees and court costs to the winning party. This law directly affects individuals who believe their rights were denied and state or local government actors who could face such legal claims.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Jan 14, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To Judiciary then Finance
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors