The bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 15-1B-28, which establishes specific exemptions for classified and sensitive military records from public disclosure. It recognizes the presumption of public accessibility to records but outlines several categories of information that are exempt, including classified information necessary for national or state security, unique vulnerability assessments related to terrorist responses, and sensitive military information that could jeopardize public safety or provide adversaries with a military advantage.

The bill specifies that the exempt information includes deployment plans, operational procedures, military tactics, and critical infrastructure security details, among others. This legislation aims to protect vital military and security information from being publicly released, thereby ensuring the safety of military personnel and the effectiveness of national defense strategies. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after its passage, which is on May 19, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-1B-28
Enrolled Version: 15-1B-28