West VirginiaSB 842026 Regular SessionSenate

Prohibiting law enforcement from placing surveillance cameras on private property

Sponsored By: Darren Thorne (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§62-1A-12

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Police can't place cameras on property

Beginning June 4, 2026, law-enforcement officers in West Virginia may not install surveillance cameras on private land without the property owner's consent or a valid search warrant. They may place a camera from a spot where they are lawfully allowed to be if it only faces areas on the property open to public view. They may also install a camera on private land in an emergency when there is no time to get a warrant. Police body cams and dash cams are not treated as surveillance cameras under this law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Darren Thorne
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Craig A. Hart
Republican • Senate
Chris Rose
Republican • Senate
Patricia Rucker
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 202 • No: 143

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 360)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 196)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 2/25/2026

Amendment rejected (Roll No. 195)

Yes: 11 • No: 81

House vote • 2/25/2026

Postpone one day rejected (Roll No. 194)

Yes: 30 • No: 62

Senate vote • 1/29/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 18)