Criminal Justice

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 973: Creating crime of property disposal for purposes of avoiding debt or asset repayment

SB 973 proposes to create a criminal offense for individuals who dispose of or attempt to dispose of their property to avoid paying debts, fines, or fees without the creditor's knowledge or consent. This law would directly affect debtors who transfer assets to evade payment obligations to creditors. The bill amends West Virginia Code §61-3-24 to specify that such actions constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. It clarifies that intentionally hiding or moving property to prevent debt collection is now explicitly prohibited under state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor for asset disposal to evade debt, expanding criminalization of financial behavior per §61-3-24.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 1037: Allowing death penalty for first degree murder during commission of sexual assault

SB 1037 would allow the death penalty for first-degree murder committed during a sexual abuse conviction (in the first degree) when the victim is under 12 years old and the defendant is over 18. The bill requires prosecutors to notify the court and defendant within 45 days of arraignment if seeking the death penalty, including the specific reasons they will argue for it. It also establishes procedures for jury selection, sentencing, and automatic review of death penalty cases by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The bill repeals West Virginia’s existing ban on the death penalty to permit this specific application.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands death penalty for specific crimes, increasing mandatory sentences rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 5477: Relating to federal immigration enforcement.

HB 5477 requires state-supported law enforcement agencies - including county sheriffs, municipal police, and regional jails receiving state funds - to join the federal 287(g) program for immigration enforcement. Larger detention facilities must use the "Jail Enforcement Model" under this program, with a fallback to the "Warrant Service Officer Model" only if federal authorities deny the primary option. The bill mandates reporting, audits, and allows withholding of state public safety funds from noncompliant agencies. It standardizes cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in detention settings across West Virginia.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates state law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, expanding criminalization of immigration violations within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state law enforcement to join federal 287(g) program, increasing state-level immigration enforcement cooperation per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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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

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 5493: Provide a penalty of chemical castration or surgical castration for sex abuse crimes against minors.

HB 5493 would require West Virginia courts to offer convicted sex offenders (specifically those found guilty of crimes against minors under §61-8-12 or related statutes) a choice between hormone treatment (medroxyprogesterone acetate or MPA) or surgical castration as an additional penalty, alongside standard sentencing. Courts must first confirm a defendant's medical suitability for MPA treatment through a court-appointed expert, and the treatment duration is specified in the sentence. Refusing MPA treatment after sentencing could result in a 1-5 year prison term. The bill also mandates a prerelease risk assessment for these offenders before their release from prison.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates additional penalties (chemical/surgical castration) for sex offenders, increasing sentencing severity and reducing defendant choice per §61-8-12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 980: Clarifying office of Prosecuting Attorney exemption from Freedom of Information Act

SB 980 clarifies that the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney in West Virginia is exempt from the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill amends the law to explicitly state that this office is not a "custodian of records," meaning records related to crime investigations held by prosecuting attorneys are not subject to public disclosure. This change directly affects prosecuting attorneys' offices by confirming that their internal case materials remain confidential under current law. The bill does not create new exemptions but provides clear language to prevent misinterpretation of existing rules.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExempts prosecutorial records from FOIA, reducing public oversight of criminal case handling and weakening transparency in criminal justice operations.95% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5020: To prohibit a convicted felons of sexual assault, or abuse of juveniles on public school property

HB 5020 prohibits individuals on the state sex offender registry, convicted of sexual assault, or convicted of juvenile abuse from entering public school property or attending school events. It directly affects these individuals and requires schools to hold parent-teacher conferences with them via phone or virtual meeting instead of on-site. Violating this ban is a misdemeanor for a first offense (up to six months in jail) and a felony for repeat offenses (one to five years in prison). The bill also allows the State Board of Education to create implementing rules.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by imposing new misdemeanor/felony penalties for violating school access ban.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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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

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Violent Crime

passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 986: Relating to child torture and abused children

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "child torture" in West Virginia law, targeting caregivers, parents, or others with a duty of protection who intentionally or recklessly subject a child under their care to severe physical or psychological acts. It defines torture as including acts like breaking limbs, inflicting prolonged pain, depriving food/water for unreasonable periods, sexual abuse, or terrorizing the child to cause significant emotional distress. The bill establishes felony penalties: 1-5 years in prison if no bodily injury occurs, and 2-10 years if bodily injury results. It directly affects individuals in positions of trust over children, such as parents, guardians, or custodians, by imposing specific criminal consequences for documented severe abuse.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony offense for child torture, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of increasing penalties for specific crimes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5257: Relating to education to children and adults housed in correctional facilities and regional jails

HB 5257 removes language requiring specific state funding appropriations for education services for children and adults in correctional facilities and regional jails. It amends West Virginia Code §18-20-5 to eliminate the current requirement that such education must be funded through dedicated state budget allocations. This change allows the State Board of Education, Department of Education, and State Superintendent to provide educational services in these facilities without needing separate annual funding bills. The bill directly affects incarcerated youth and adults who would continue to receive educational opportunities under existing state and federal requirements, contingent on available funding.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRemoves dedicated state budget allocation requirement for correctional education, weakening fiscal mandates for this program.95% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory state funding for correctional education, weakening rehabilitation programs that reduce recidivism and align with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill removes requirement for dedicated state funding appropriations for education in correctional facilities, weakening funding guarantees for this educational service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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