The proposed bill, known as the Stop Squatters Act, aims to provide property owners in West Virginia with a streamlined process for removing unauthorized occupants from residential and commercial properties. It establishes a legal framework that allows property owners or their authorized agents to request immediate removal of unlawful occupants through local law enforcement, provided specific conditions are met, such as the property not being open to the public and the occupants not being current or former tenants. The bill also outlines the process for law enforcement to conduct preliminary fact-finding before serving a notice to vacate, and it includes provisions for indemnifying law enforcement if a false complaint is made.

In addition to the removal process, the bill introduces criminal penalties for various offenses related to unlawful occupancy and property damage. It establishes misdemeanor charges for unlawfully occupying a property and causing damages under $1,000, and felony charges for causing damages over $1,000. Furthermore, it criminalizes the act of knowingly presenting false documents related to real property and listing properties for sale or rent without legal authority, with corresponding penalties for each offense. Overall, the Stop Squatters Act seeks to protect property rights while providing legal recourse against unlawful occupancy and fraudulent property transactions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 55-3D-1, 55-3D-2, 55-3D-3, 55-3D-4