The proposed bill aims to establish the West Virginia Consumer Privacy Act of 2025, which seeks to protect consumers' personal financial information from being disclosed or sold without their written consent. The bill introduces new articles to the Code of West Virginia, defining key terms such as "consumer" and "consumer transaction," and grants consumers the right to "opt-in" for any disclosure or sale of their personal financial information. It emphasizes the importance of transparency, requiring businesses to inform consumers about what personal information is being shared or sold, thereby empowering them to safeguard their financial privacy and reduce the risk of identity theft and other deceptive practices.

Additionally, the bill outlines penalties for violations, categorizing them as misdemeanors with fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to one year. Each violation is treated as a separate offense, and the court may award reasonable attorney's fees to consumers based on various factors if they prevail in a case. The bill also specifies the venue for civil actions related to violations, ensuring that consumers can bring claims in their local circuit courts. Overall, the West Virginia Consumer Privacy Act of 2025 aims to enhance consumer rights and privacy protections in the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 46A-9-101, 46A-9-102, 46A-9-103