Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4999: Relating to crimes against athletic officials

HB 4999 expands legal protections for both athletic officials (like referees) and participants (players) in West Virginia by making assault or battery against them a misdemeanor. It increases penalties: assault fines of $250-$500 with up to six months in jail, and battery fines of $500-$1,000 with up to one year in jail. The bill also allows school boards to ban convicted offenders from all school sports events for at least one year, with violating this ban treated as trespassing. However, it explicitly exempts normal sports actions - such as hard fouls within game rules - from prosecution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assault/battery against officials (misdemeanor with fines/jail), expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4990: Relating to crimes using gift cards

HB 4990 creates new criminal offenses related to gift card fraud in West Virginia. It makes it a crime to steal, tamper with, or fraudulently obtain gift cards or their redemption information (defined as unique access codes), and to use stolen gift cards for purchases. Specifically, using stolen gift cards for $1,000+ in value over six months escalates the offense to grand theft. The bill directly affects individuals committing gift card fraud, while protecting cardholders, issuers, and sellers. It provides clear definitions for terms like "closed-loop gift card" (e.g., store-specific) and "gift card redemption information" to clarify the scope of the law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for gift card fraud, expanding criminalization per indicators. No reform or protection elements present.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4345: Relating to the preservation of missing persons records and evidence

HB 4345 requires law enforcement agencies in West Virginia to permanently retain all records and evidence for missing persons cases that remain unresolved after one year. It mandates that agencies digitize all documentation and physical/biological evidence for these cases and transmit the complete records to the West Virginia Fusion Center. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (including county and municipal departments) by establishing new requirements for record retention, digitization, and database sharing. Key provisions include banning destruction of unresolved case files, requiring secure digital storage, and ensuring evidence is preserved permanently. This applies to all missing persons cases, not just children or high-risk situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to permanently retain and digitize missing persons evidence, supporting criminal justice system integrity by preserving critical data for future investigations and prosecutions.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4552: Relating to the law-enforcement powers of correctional officers

HB 4552 clarifies that correctional officers in West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation who complete required training are recognized as law-enforcement officers. The bill authorizes these officers to make arrests on facility property for violations of state law, detain escapees, and carry firearms both on and off duty (with annual firearms training). It also establishes that qualifying officers are recognized under federal law (18 U.S.C. §926B) for off-duty carry and retirement benefits. The policy directly affects correctional officers employed by the Division, expanding their legal authority and equipment access while specifying training and certification requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands law enforcement authority for correctional officers in facilities, strengthening their role within the corrections system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4996: Relating to bail in cases involving terroristic threats to schools or children

HB 4996 requires courts to impose mandatory bail conditions for defendants charged with terroristic threats against schools or child-focused facilities (like preschools or daycares). It prohibits defendants from residing within 1,000 feet of the threatened facility or any similar educational location where children are regularly present. Additional conditions may include GPS monitoring to enforce exclusion zones, no contact with students/staff, or home incarceration outside the restricted area. Violations trigger immediate arrest, bail forfeiture, or custody remand, with courts using GIS or property records to measure proximity. The bill directly affects individuals facing charges under §61-6-24(b) related to school threats.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates stricter bail conditions including exclusion zones and GPS monitoring for terroristic threats against schools, increasing restrictions on defendants and reducing their rights.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4053: To establish the blue envelope program.

HB 4053 establishes the "Blue Envelope Program" to improve communication between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder, dementia, or intellectual/developmental disabilities during traffic stops. Eligible drivers (with a valid license/permit) can request a specially designed blue envelope containing their license, registration, and emergency contact information, along with a vehicle decal and communication guidance for officers. The program, set to launch January 1, 2027, will be administered through the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, sheriff's offices, and police stations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes safer law enforcement interactions for vulnerable populations during traffic stops, reducing potential escalation - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of improving police accountability and communication.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by improving law enforcement communication during traffic stops for drivers with disabilities, aligning with vehicle regulation safety indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4415: Creating crime of attempting to smuggle contraband into federal correctional institutions within the state

HB 4415 amends West Virginia law to explicitly include federal correctional facilities in existing statutes prohibiting the smuggling of prohibited items into correctional settings. The bill makes it a misdemeanor to deliver items like food, clothing, or money without permission (fines up to $500, jail up to 12 months) and a felony to transport weapons, drugs, escape tools, or telecommunications devices (fines $1,000-$5,000, prison 1-10 years). It directly affects individuals attempting to smuggle contraband into federal prisons located within West Virginia, such as visitors, family members, or others delivering unauthorized items. The law updates prior penalties for smuggling into state facilities to apply uniformly to federal correctional institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by imposing penalties for smuggling contraband into correctional facilities, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts telecommunications devices in prisons, limiting technology access as specified in felony provisions for transporting such devices.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 848: Supplemental Appropriation to Department of Homeland Security, fund 0450

SB 848 is a supplemental appropriation bill that allocates $84,600 from an unappropriated surplus balance in the State Fund, General Revenue, to cover inmate medical expenses for the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation under the Department of Homeland Security during fiscal year 2026. This funding specifically targets Correctional Units within the Division and uses existing surplus funds identified in the Governor’s budget document. The bill does not create new programs or alter policies but directs available resources to address medical costs for inmates. It is a routine budget adjustment, not a policy change, to ensure necessary healthcare funding for correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds inmate medical expenses in corrections, directly supporting the corrections aspect of criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds inmate medical expenses in corrections through targeted appropriation, directly supporting healthcare access for incarcerated individuals within public health programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 25, 2026

HB 5067: Relating to the powers and duties of the director of the Division of Administrative Services

HB 5067 clarifies the Division of Administrative Services' role in managing federal grants for law enforcement. It allows the Director to directly partner with law enforcement agencies (like the State Police) to apply for and administer federal grants restricted to such agencies. The bill also removes a previous requirement for the Deputy Secretary to hear certain appeals, instead directing the Office of Administrative Hearings to handle appeals from the Governor’s Committee on Crime subcommittees. This affects how state agencies coordinate federal grant funding and process appeals related to law enforcement certification decisions. The changes streamline grant administration but do not create new law enforcement powers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines federal grant access for law enforcement agencies, enabling funding for criminal justice programs through direct administrative partnerships.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice