This bill aims to enhance privacy protections for members of the West Virginia Legislature by establishing a new section in the Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act. It introduces a reasonable expectation of privacy within private offices located in the State Capitol or other official legislative spaces. The bill prohibits unauthorized video or audio recording, interception of communications, and the installation of surveillance devices in these offices without the prior consent of the legislator. Additionally, it makes it unlawful to disclose or disseminate any unlawfully obtained recordings made within a legislative office.

Exceptions to these prohibitions include security measures taken by authorized personnel, recordings made with the legislator's consent, and lawfully authorized surveillance conducted under a valid court order. Violations of this section are classified as felonies, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison, fines of up to $10,000, or both. Overall, the bill seeks to enforce two-party consent in legislative offices and reinforce the privacy rights of legislators.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 62-1D-3a