Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4554: Creating Persons with Disabilities Registry

HB 4554 would establish a voluntary registry for individuals with certain disabilities - such as autism, Alzheimer’s, or Down syndrome - to help law enforcement better interact with them during encounters. People with disabilities, or their parents/guardians for minors or incapacitated adults, could enroll by providing medical certification (e.g., from a doctor or psychologist) or legal documentation (e.g., court orders or guardianship papers). The registry, maintained by local law enforcement, would include personal details and disability information but remain confidential and exempt from public disclosure. Individuals could request removal from the registry at any time, with law enforcement required to comply within five business days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes voluntary registry to improve law enforcement interactions with people with disabilities, promoting safer encounters and protecting vulnerable individuals - a form of criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Tags People with Disabilities

Track

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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 84: Prohibiting law enforcement from placing surveillance cameras on private property

SB 84 prohibits West Virginia law enforcement officers from installing surveillance cameras on private property without either the property owner's consent or a valid search warrant. This directly affects police departments and private landowners by requiring legal authorization before placing cameras on fenced, posted, or cultivated land owned by non-government entities. Exceptions allow installation in areas visible to the public without authorization or during emergencies where obtaining consent/warrant isn't feasible. The bill defines "surveillance camera" to exclude police vehicle dash or body cameras but explicitly covers devices like game cameras used for observation. It applies to all law enforcement officers, including state natural resources agents, under West Virginia law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants/consent for police surveillance on private property, protecting civil rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts unauthorized surveillance tech use, protecting property owners' privacy rights per data privacy indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4230: Relating to to authorizing the Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction to promulgate a legislative rule relating to law enforcement training and certification standards.

HB 4230 authorizes West Virginia's Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction to establish legislative rules for law enforcement training and certification standards, specifically referencing the existing "149 CSR 02" rule. The bill modifies a previously filed rule (originally submitted in July 2025) that was adjusted to address objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee and refiled in September 2025. This rule would set uniform standards for officer training and certification across the state. The bill does not create new standards itself but formally authorizes the Committee to finalize and implement the modified rule. This affects all law enforcement agencies and officers subject to state certification requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes uniform law enforcement training standards, enhancing officer accountability and professionalism per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4628: Protecting Everyone from Excessive Police Surveillance (PEEPS) Act

HB 4628, the PEEPS Act, requires West Virginia law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing historical location data (such as license plate records, cell tower logs, or traffic camera footage) about people or vehicles. Exceptions include when a vehicle owner reports a theft, for traffic enforcement, toll collection, or in immediate emergencies where a warrant cannot be secured. The bill mandates that agencies encrypt this data, prohibit sharing or selling it to private companies, and maintain detailed records of all access requests with supervisor approval. This law directly affects police departments and government entities that collect location information, aiming to limit unwarranted surveillance while allowing specific public safety uses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for police access to location data, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for location data access, mandates encryption, prohibits sharing with private companies - directly protects data privacy under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Telecommunications Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 530: Relating to Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit

SB 530 expands West Virginia's Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit within the State Police by requiring at least one retired State Police officer from each of the 21 police districts to join the unit, increasing its size to 21 members. The bill mandates that the unit maintain an office in every State Police district (located within local Human Services offices), coordinate closely with Child Protective Services, and track statewide data on child abuse/neglect cases without identifying individual cases. It also establishes rules for rehiring retired officers (requiring specific training but no pension accrual) and requires an annual report to the legislature on unit activities and case data. The unit will focus on investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases while supporting local law enforcement and social services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands law enforcement unit for child abuse investigations, strengthening criminal justice system's investigative capacity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4129: Relating to the prohibition of warrantless searches and seizures.

HB 4129 restricts the Division of Natural Resources' ability to enter private land for conservation purposes without a warrant. It requires law enforcement (specifically natural resources officers) to obtain a warrant before entering posted private land, using drones for surveillance, or conducting searches in open fields. The bill abolishes the common law "open fields" doctrine, prohibits surveillance cameras on private property, and clarifies that drone activity on private land constitutes a search needing a warrant. This directly affects landowners and natural resources officers by imposing new warrant requirements for property access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts warrantless law enforcement searches (drones, open fields), protects Fourth Amendment rights, and abolishes open fields doctrine - enhancing civil liberties in criminal justice procedures.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts natural resources officers' warrantless access to private land for conservation, weakening enforcement of environmental protection measures on private property.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Conservation Public Lands

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4135: To allow police access to all photo information upon arrest for sex offenders

HB 4135 amends West Virginia's Sex Offender Registration Act to require registrants (individuals convicted of specified sex offenses) to provide all online identifiers, including social media usernames, email addresses, mobile app accounts, and phone numbers, upon registration. It also mandates that registrants permit police to inspect their mobile devices to verify these identifiers are fully disclosed. The bill directly affects anyone required to register under the Sex Offender Registry Act, adding specific digital footprint requirements beyond existing physical address and vehicle information. These provisions aim to enhance law enforcement's ability to track registrants' online activities by expanding the scope of required digital information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police monitoring of sex offenders through mandatory digital disclosure, strengthening registration system effectiveness and public safety within criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRequires sex offenders to disclose digital identifiers and permits police device inspections, weakening privacy protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Social Media

Track