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West VirginiaSB 2002026 Regular SessionSenate

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

Sponsored By: Ryan Weld (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§19-20-24§61-2-10b§61-5-30

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger penalties for harming public safety animals

Beginning 90 days after passage, West Virginia sets new crimes and penalties for harming public safety animals on duty. Willfully injuring an animal is a misdemeanor with a $200 to $1,000 fine or up to 1 year in jail, or both. Serious injury is a felony with a $1,000 to $3,000 fine or 1 to 5 years in prison, or both. Killing an animal is a felony with a $2,000 to $5,000 fine or 2 to 10 years in prison, or both. Courts can order restitution for costs tied to the harm. The law preserves self‑defense and excludes authorized on‑duty euthanasia of injured or ill animals.

Tougher penalties for attacking on-duty workers

Beginning 90 days after passage, West Virginia increases penalties for attacks on certain workers while on duty. Covered workers include law‑enforcement, firefighters and EMTs, correctional staff, health‑care staff, utility workers, and government employees and contractors. Malicious assault is a felony with 3 to 15 years in prison; unlawful assault is a felony with 2 to 5 years. Battery is a felony with fines up to $2,000 and 1 to 10 years in prison, rising with repeat offenses. Assault or attempts that cause fear of immediate injury carry 1 to 3 years in prison or up to a $200 fine, or both. The offender must know the person was acting in an official role. If an inmate assaults a correctional employee, the new sentence cannot run at the same time as other sentences.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ryan Weld

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Vince Deeds

    Republican • Senate

  • Chris Phillips

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 157 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 596)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 417)

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/21/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 179)

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/25/2026

    3/25/2026Senate

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026House

  6. House Message received

    3/13/2026Senate

  7. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 596)

    3/13/2026Senate

  8. Communicated to House

    3/13/2026Senate

  9. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026Senate

  10. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  11. Read 3rd time

    3/12/2026House

  12. Passed House (Roll No. 417)

    3/12/2026House

  13. Communicated to Senate

    3/12/2026House

  14. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  15. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026House

  16. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/11/2026House

  17. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/11/2026House

  18. With amendment, do pass

    3/10/2026House

  19. Immediate consideration

    3/10/2026House

  20. Read 1st time

    3/10/2026House

  21. Markup Discussion

    3/9/2026House

  22. House received Senate message

    2/23/2026House

  23. Introduced in House

    2/23/2026House

  24. To Judiciary

    2/23/2026House

  25. To House Judiciary

    2/23/2026House

Bill Text

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