The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to establish stricter regulations regarding law enforcement's entry onto private lands and the use of surveillance cameras. It abolishes the common law open fields doctrine, which previously permitted warrantless searches of open fields, and mandates that law enforcement officers must obtain a valid warrant or recognized exception before conducting searches on private property. The bill also prohibits the placement of surveillance cameras on posted private lands without the property owner's consent or a valid search warrant, while allowing for camera placement in areas visible to the public.

Additionally, the bill modifies the powers of the director of the Division of Natural Resources and natural resources police officers. It allows for entry onto private lands for conservation purposes, but only under the new limitations. While natural resources police officers can enter private lands without a warrant while performing their official duties, they must adhere to restrictions on posted lands unless specific conditions are met. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the protection of private property rights while still enabling law enforcement to fulfill their responsibilities under defined circumstances.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 20-1-7, 20-7-4, 62-1A-12, 62-1A-13