Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

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

HB 4468: Relating to confidentiality of court files and law-enforcement records

HB 4468 seeks to repeal Section 61-8B-19 of the West Virginia Code, which currently sets rules for keeping court files and law-enforcement records confidential. This bill would remove the existing legal requirements governing how these records must be handled and protected. It directly affects West Virginia courts and law enforcement agencies, which currently follow these confidentiality rules. The bill does not propose new rules for confidentiality but would eliminate the current statutory framework.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepealing confidentiality rules weakens privacy protections for court/law enforcement records, reducing oversight in criminal justice operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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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

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

HB 4179: To create felony charge for individuals who assault police officers or police dogs

HB 4179 creates a new felony charge for individuals who injure or kill animals used by law enforcement or fire officials, such as police dogs or horses. It replaces existing provisions and adds specific penalties for harming these animals, including 3-15 years in prison. The bill also requires restitution for victims, covering veterinary costs and replacement expenses for injured or killed animals. This directly affects anyone who assaults or harms trained animals working with police, fire, or emergency response teams. The law focuses on concrete penalties and financial accountability, not broader policy speculation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony charge for harming police animals, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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

HCR 5: Disband the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other politicized intelligence and law enforcement agencies

HCR 5 is a non-binding resolution introduced by West Virginia's House of Delegates. It calls on Congress to disband the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), citing claims that these agencies have become politicized. The resolution proposes transferring non-politicized law enforcement functions (like the FBI's Laboratory Division) to an interstate compact. This is a symbolic state-level action with no legal authority to alter federal agencies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill explicitly seeks disbanding FBI/ATF, core federal law enforcement agencies, aiming to weaken national criminal justice infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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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 21, 2026

HB 4661: Allowing death penalty for intentionally killing law-enforcement officer or first responder in line of duty

HB 4661 would allow the death penalty for individuals convicted of intentionally killing a law enforcement officer or first responder (including firefighters, EMTs, and correctional staff) while they are performing their duties. The bill amends West Virginia's murder sentencing code to add this scenario as an aggravating circumstance requiring physical evidence like DNA or a confession, rather than circumstantial proof. If this aggravating circumstance is proven beyond reasonable doubt and no mitigating factors outweigh it, a jury may impose the death penalty; otherwise, the sentence is life without parole. This directly affects defendants convicted of first-degree murder in these specific cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands death penalty for intentionally killing officers, increasing sentencing severity per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Probation & Parole Sentencing

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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

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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

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

HB 4671: Relating to illegal immigrants

HB 4671 requires West Virginia law enforcement to immediately transfer individuals determined to be in the country without legal immigration status to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation. For a second offense (if the same person is again found without legal status), the bill classifies it as a felony, mandating 3 to 5 years in state prison before deportation. The bill also prohibits state and local law enforcement from interfering with this process or overriding federal immigration policy. It directly affects individuals without legal immigration status who are apprehended by law enforcement in the state.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill classifies second immigration violation as felony with 3-5 year mandatory sentence, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per criminal justice indicators.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates immediate ICE transfers for deportation, classifies second offense as felony with prison time, and prohibits state interference, increasing enforcement against undocumented immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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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

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