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 4712: Increasing the criminal penalties for DUI causing death to be known as “Baylea’s Law.”

HB 4712, known as "Baylea's Law," increases criminal penalties for drivers convicted of DUI that causes death or injury in West Virginia. It raises prison sentences to 3-30 years for DUI causing death (up from prior limits), 2-10 years for serious bodily injury, and up to 1 year for lesser bodily injury. The bill also mandates license revocation for 10 years (or permanently) for DUI causing death, 5 years for serious injury, and 2 years for minor injuries, with options to reinstate through a "test and lock program." This law directly affects drivers convicted of DUI-related offenses resulting in harm to others, including minors or fetuses as defined by the law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison sentences and license revocations for DUI offenses, expanding criminal penalties rather than promoting reform or reducing recidivism.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 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 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

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 200: Increasing criminal penalties and fines for assault on certain public service workers, law-enforcement officers, and police animals

SB 200 creates new criminal penalties for harming police dogs and other public safety animals trained to assist officers. It establishes three offense levels: misdemeanor fines ($200-$1,000) for physical injury, felony fines ($1,000-$3,000) or prison (1-5 years) for serious injury, and felony fines ($2,000-$5,000) or prison (2-10 years) for causing death. The bill explicitly exempts public safety officers who euthanize injured animals in their official duties and allows self-defense claims when protecting such animals. It also requires court-ordered restitution for convicted offenders and designates these offenses as qualifying for enhanced sentencing under recidivist laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal penalties for harming police animals, expanding criminalization of specific acts per bill's offense levels and penalties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 137: Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter

SB 137 increases the minimum time inmates must serve before becoming eligible for parole for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter convictions in West Virginia. Specifically, it raises the parole eligibility minimum from 10 years to 15 years for second-degree murder (under §61-2-3) and from 3 years to 5 years for voluntary manslaughter (under §61-2-4). The bill also increases the minimum period for parole eligibility for those sentenced to life imprisonment. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of these specific violent crimes, requiring them to serve longer sentences before parole consideration.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases minimum parole eligibility (10→15 years for murder, 3→5 for manslaughter), making sentences harsher and opposing criminal justice reform trends that seek reduced incarceration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice