The bill amends the West Virginia Code to enhance the handling of unresolved missing persons complaints. It introduces a new section, 15-3D-10, which mandates that law enforcement agencies permanently retain records and evidence related to unresolved missing persons complaints that have not been resolved within one year. Agencies are required to digitize these files and ensure that all documentation is preserved in a secure, searchable format. Additionally, all related documentation must be transmitted to the West Virginia Fusion Center, which will retain the information until notified that the case has been resolved.

Furthermore, the bill updates definitions in the existing law, including clarifying what constitutes an "unresolved missing persons complaint." It also requires the West Virginia Fusion Center to develop a secure cold case database that includes information on unresolved missing persons complaints and other cold cases. Law enforcement agencies are tasked with providing necessary information for this database, which will be maintained indefinitely to assist in ongoing investigations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15A-12-9, 15-3D-10
Committee Substitute: 15-3D-3, 15A-12-9, 15-3D-10
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 15-3D-3, 15A-12-9, 15-3D-10
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 15-3D-3, 15A-12-9, 15-3D-10