The bill introduced on March 14, 2025, aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 62-1D-3a, which establishes an expectation of privacy for members of the West Virginia Legislature within their private offices. This new provision stipulates that legislators have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their offices located in the State Capitol or any official legislative space. It prohibits unauthorized video or audio recording, interception of communications, and the installation of surveillance devices without the legislator's consent. Additionally, it forbids the disclosure of any unlawfully obtained recordings.

However, the bill outlines exceptions to these prohibitions, including legislative security measures, recordings made with the legislator's consent, and lawfully authorized surveillance under a 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. The intent of the bill is to enforce two-party consent in legislative offices and to safeguard the privacy of legislators in their official capacities.

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