This bill proposes significant amendments to the Code of West Virginia, 1931, focusing on enhancing penalties and updating definitions related to vehicular offenses and criminally injurious conduct. Key provisions include the recognition of an embryo as a protected person under the law, the introduction of new offenses such as vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular homicide, and the establishment of corresponding fines and penalties. The bill clarifies that convictions for specific offenses will result in the revocation of a driver's license and updates definitions related to reckless and electronically distracted driving, categorizing fatalities caused by such actions as vehicular homicide. Additionally, it mandates the Department of Transportation to install warning signs regarding the illegality of texting while driving and prohibits law enforcement from seizing electronic devices under this section.

The legislation also addresses commercial driver's license regulations, expanding disqualifying offenses to include reckless disregard for safety and various forms of vehicular homicide, while removing references to negligent homicide. It introduces lifetime disqualifications for felonies involving controlled substances or human trafficking committed while operating a commercial vehicle. Furthermore, the bill amends penalties for homicide related to motorized watercraft, replacing negligent homicide with felony charges and introducing aggravated homicide offenses. The "Unborn Victims of Violence Act" is also established, recognizing embryos and fetuses as distinct victims in violent crime cases against pregnant women, while ensuring that the law does not interfere with lawful medical practices. Overall, the bill aims to create a more comprehensive legal framework to enhance road safety and accountability among drivers.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17C-5-1, 61-2-30
Committee Substitute: 14-2A-3, 17B-1A-1, 17C-5-1, 17B-3-5, 17C-5-3, 17C-14-15, 17E-1-13, 20-7-18a, 33-6A-1, 49-1-207, 61-2-30
Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 14-2A-3, 17B-1A-1, 17C-5-1, 17B-3-5, 17C-5-3, 17C-14-15, 17E-1-13, 20-7-18a, 33-6A-1, 49-1-207, 61-2-30
Engrossed Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 14-2A-3, 17B-1A-1, 17C-5-1, 17B-3-5, 17C-5-3, 17C-14-15, 17E-1-13, 20-7-18a, 33-6A-1, 49-1-207, 61-2-30