This bill seeks to amend West Virginia's Code to enhance protections against civil rights violations based on disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It introduces new legal language that expands the definition of protected classes, ensuring that individuals are free from violence or intimidation due to these characteristics. The bill establishes criminal penalties for those who willfully injure or intimidate others based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It also specifies that evidence of constitutionally protected speech or associations is generally inadmissible in prosecutions under this section, with exceptions for cases directly related to the crime charged.

Additionally, the bill provides for alternative sentencing options for individuals convicted of civil rights violations, including deferred adjudication and community corrections programming. It outlines factors for judges to consider when determining the appropriateness of alternative sentencing, such as the availability of community corrections programs and opportunities for victim remediation or reintegration of the convicted individual. The amendments introduced by this bill will collectively be known as "Angels Law."

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-6-21