This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by creating a domestic violence registry, which will be established and maintained by the Criminal Identification Bureau of the West Virginia State Police. The registry will include the names and identifying information of individuals convicted of three or more misdemeanor or felony offenses related to domestic violence. The purpose of the registry is to protect children and other household members by allowing individuals to confidentially verify the domestic violence history of potential partners, thereby enhancing personal safety. The bill outlines the information that must be included in the registry, such as the individual's full name, date of birth, and details of the criminal offenses, while ensuring that the identities of victims remain confidential.

Additionally, the bill requires prosecuting attorneys to report domestic violence convictions to the registry and to provide information regarding the prior history of individuals convicted of domestic violence. It also establishes criteria for the placement of individuals on the registry and the release of information to the public, ensuring that inquiries about the registry are confidential. The bill includes definitions for key terms, such as "domestic violence" and "domestic violence registry," and emphasizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of the information contained within the registry. Overall, this legislation seeks to enhance public safety and accountability regarding domestic violence offenses in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2C-1, 15-2C-3, 15-2C-4, 15-2C-8, 15-2C-2a