This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to require the Commissioner of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation to cover the jail bills for individuals incarcerated for misdemeanors. It introduces a new framework for determining the financial responsibilities of state, county, and municipal entities based on the location of the arrest and the population of the jurisdiction. Specifically, the bill outlines various scenarios where the state, county, or municipality will pay a percentage of the jail bill, depending on the size of the population in the area where the arrest occurred. Additionally, it establishes a system for ranking counties by income per capita, which will affect their financial obligations regarding jail costs.

The bill also modifies existing provisions related to the management and use of funds for jail operations, including the stipulation that funds may not be used to offset non-jail operations. It clarifies the responsibilities of counties regarding costs incurred for housing inmates, particularly distinguishing between pretrial inmates and those convicted of misdemeanors. The new language emphasizes that the state will assume financial responsibility for misdemeanor incarceration costs starting July 1, 2025, thereby relieving counties of these expenses under specified conditions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15A-3-16