The proposed bill aims to establish the "Police Partnering With Communities Act" in West Virginia, which includes legislative findings emphasizing the connection between violence and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. It defines "distressed areas" as low-income regions with a higher-than-average crime rate, specifically targeting census tracts where the individual poverty rate is at least 20% or the median family income is below 80% of the area median. The bill highlights the importance of community engagement in violence mitigation and encourages police officers to reside in these distressed areas to foster better relationships with the communities they serve.

Additionally, the bill establishes the "Police Partnering With Communities Fund" within the West Virginia State Treasurer's office, which will reimburse housing costs for police officers who choose to live in these distressed areas. To qualify for reimbursement, officers must provide proof of residency and employment with a local police department. The fund's financial support will be detailed in a separate appropriations bill, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 30-29-15