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West VirginiaHB 43452026 Regular SessionHouse

Relating to the preservation of missing persons records and evidence

Sponsored By: Michael Hornby (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§15-3D-10§15A-12-9

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Central hub for unresolved case files

Beginning June 12, 2026, the lead agency must send all documents for unresolved missing-person complaints to the West Virginia Fusion Center. The Fusion Center keeps these records until the agency says the person is found or the case is resolved.

Statewide cold case database created

Beginning June 12, 2026, the West Virginia Fusion Center runs a secure statewide database for cold cases. Each police agency and the State Fire Marshal must provide required case data. Required fields include victim details, case numbers, dates, available evidence like DNA or dental records, contacts, and a case summary. The Fusion Center sets rules for collecting and maintaining this data and keeps it indefinitely. Agencies may keep their physical evidence and files until a cold case is resolved. A person is treated as "unidentified" if not identified within 30 days.

Stronger preservation of missing-person cases

Beginning June 12, 2026, police must keep all records for missing-person complaints that stay open for one year. They must also keep physical and biological evidence from these cases forever. Active and unresolved case files must be scanned and stored in a secure, searchable digital format. For cases that are resolved, agencies may follow the normal state record-retention schedule instead of keeping them forever.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Hornby

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Scot C. Heckert

    Republican • House

  • Josh Holstein

    Republican • House

  • Ian T. Masters

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 226 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 677)

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 534)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/10/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 64)

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/25/2026

    3/25/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026House

  3. House received Senate message

    3/14/2026House

  4. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 677)

    3/14/2026House

  5. Communicated to Senate

    3/14/2026House

  6. Completed legislative action

    3/14/2026House

  7. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  8. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  9. Approved by Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  10. Approved by Governor 3/25/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  11. On 3rd reading

    3/13/2026Senate

  12. Read 3rd time

    3/13/2026Senate

  13. Passed Senate (Roll No. 534)

    3/13/2026Senate

  14. Senate requests House to concur

    3/13/2026Senate

  15. On 2nd reading

    3/12/2026Senate

  16. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  17. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026Senate

  18. Reported do pass, with amendment

    3/11/2026Senate

  19. Immediate consideration

    3/11/2026Senate

  20. Read 1st time

    3/11/2026Senate

  21. Introduced in Senate

    2/11/2026Senate

  22. To Judiciary

    2/11/2026Senate

  23. To Judiciary

    2/11/2026Senate

  24. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    2/10/2026House

  25. Read 3rd time

    2/10/2026House

Bill Text

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