The proposed bill aims to establish the West Virginia Title Protection Act, which is designed to safeguard the rights of rightful property owners against fraudulent claims. It includes legislative findings that highlight the increasing threat of title and mortgage fraud, particularly in the context of online property records. The bill asserts that rightful owners should retain their property titles free of encumbrances, even if fraudulent deeds are presented or loans are taken out using their property without their consent. It emphasizes that rightful owners will be recognized as the actual owners of their property, regardless of any subsequent legal actions related to the fraudulent claims.

Additionally, the bill mandates that county clerks provide notification to property owners whenever there is a transfer of their property or when any documents affecting their land are filed or modified. This notification process is intended to protect property owners from being unaware of unauthorized actions taken against their property. Overall, the West Virginia Title Protection Act seeks to enhance the legal protections for property owners and ensure they are informed of any changes that could impact their ownership rights.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 37-16-1, 37-16-2, 37-16-3