Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Aug 13, 2026

HB 4755: Adding Aggravated Vehicular Homicide to the list of qualifying offenses

HB 4755 adds "aggravated vehicular homicide" (defined in §17C-5-1(c)) to West Virginia's list of offenses that trigger enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders. This change directly affects individuals convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide who have prior qualifying offenses under the state's recidivism laws. The bill amends Section 61-11-18 of the West Virginia Code to include this offense, meaning a second or third conviction for this crime could result in harsher penalties if the offender has previous serious convictions. The law focuses on increasing penalties for repeat offenders in cases involving severe DUI-related fatalities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds aggravated vehicular homicide to enhanced sentencing list, increasing penalties for repeat offenders under recidivism laws.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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

HB 5101: The Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act

HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, increases penalties for specific domestic violence offenses in West Virginia. It raises the minimum prison sentence for strangulation, suffocation, or asphyxiation of a family or household member (causing injury or loss of consciousness) from one year to two years, and for repeat offenders from one year to three years. For second offenses of domestic battery or assault, the bill sets a minimum jail term of 60 days and increases the maximum fine from $500 to $4,000. The bill also alters bail requirements for domestic violence cases to enhance victim safety protections.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for domestic violence offenses, expanding criminalization per bill's penalty hikes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes 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 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 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 1026: Increasing criminal penalties and fines for disturbing religious worship

SB 1026 creates a new criminal offense for disturbing lawful meetings, specifically increasing penalties when the disruption targets religious worship gatherings. It defines prohibited acts like obstructing meetings or making displays that outrage a group's sensibilities. Violations become a felony if committed to disrupt religious worship at tax-exempt places (including virtual meetings via video/teleconferencing), otherwise remaining a misdemeanor. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious services or gatherings, with enhanced penalties applying specifically to religious contexts. This is a policy change establishing concrete criminal penalties for targeted disruptions of religious activities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for disrupting religious worship, expanding criminalization and raising felony charges - directly aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

vetoed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

HB 4893: Increase the penalties for contempt of court in a magistrate court

HB 4893 increases penalties for contempt of court in West Virginia magistrate courts. It raises maximum fines for contempt: from $50 to $200 for a first offense, $100 to $500 for a second offense, and $100 to $1,000 (or up to 10 days in jail) for a third or subsequent offense related to the same matter. The bill applies directly to individuals disrupting court proceedings, including witnesses, jurors, parties, or officers who commit contempt. These changes take effect for offenses occurring after the bill's passage, with appeals still allowed to circuit court as in criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for contempt of court, expanding criminalization and increasing punitive measures against court disruptions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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vetoed · West Virginia · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 705: Creating offense of theft by conversion

SB 705 creates a new criminal offense called "theft by conversion" in West Virginia, targeting individuals who unlawfully use funds or property they were entrusted with under an agreement. It directly affects people handling others' assets (like rental companies, contractors, or anyone with a legal obligation to manage property), such as leased equipment or payments. The bill sets penalties: misdemeanors for amounts under $2,500 (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine), and felonies for $2,500 or more (1-10 years in prison or fines up to $2,500). It requires courts to order restitution to victims and specifies where cases can be prosecuted (e.g., defendant’s, victim’s, or property location county). The law applies to property valued over $100, excluding late fees.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with penalties, expanding criminalization under theft laws per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 5319: Camping ban on certain public property.

HB 5319 amends West Virginia law to prohibit camping or storing personal property (like tents, sleeping gear, or camp equipment) on specific public property without authorization. It directly affects individuals using state capitol grounds, courthouses, municipal offices, parks, streets, or trails without written permission from the relevant government body. Key provisions define "camp" and "personal property," ban unauthorized use in designated areas, and classify violations as misdemeanors punishable by fines ($25-$100), up to 30 days in jail, or both. Each day of violation counts as a separate offense, and unauthorized structures are deemed public nuisances subject to removal.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor for unauthorized camping, expanding criminalization which opposes criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 4997: Relating to residency restrictions for persons convicted of terroristic threats

HB 4997 prohibits individuals convicted of terroristic threats involving schools or children (under §61-6-24(b)) from residing within 1,000 feet of any educational facility, including public/private schools, preschools, or daycares where children are regularly present. This residency restriction applies automatically during probation or parole, or as a sentencing condition if no supervision is ordered. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by 1-5 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, or both, and may lead to revocation of probation. The bill uses GIS or property records to measure proximity and aligns with existing sex offender residency rules under §62-12-26.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic residency restrictions near schools for terroristic threats convicts, classifies violations as felonies with 1-5 year sentences, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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