The bill amends West Virginia Code §61-8B-19 to enhance the confidentiality of court files and law-enforcement records, specifically regarding the names and addresses of victims in criminal complaints related to certain sexual offenses. It establishes that the name and address of a victim in these complaints will be kept confidential and mandates that any disclosed criminal complaints must be redacted to remove this identifying information. Additionally, the bill allows for a waiver of confidentiality by the victim and permits disclosure to governmental entities, provided they adhere to the same confidentiality standards.

The bill also repeals previous provisions concerning court orders and subpoenas related to accessing confidential records. It introduces a new requirement that decisions from the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, issued on or after July 1, 2026, must not include the names or addresses of victims in cases involving the specified offenses. Furthermore, it requests the Supreme Court of Appeals to create necessary rules to comply with these new confidentiality provisions by the same effective date.

Statutes affected:
Committee Substitute: 61-8B-19
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 61-8B-19