The bill introduced on January 19, 2026, aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 46A-2-141, which provides specific exemptions for certain classes of property from collections by creditors. This section applies to permanent residents of West Virginia and outlines that various assets will not be subject to collection, judgment, or garnishment due to defaults on consumer credit or installment obligations.

The exempted classes of property include head of household wages up to the federal or state minimum wage, annuities or life insurance proceeds, the first $5,000 of assessed value of a homestead used for residential purposes, tax-advantaged retirement accounts, disability or death benefit income, prepaid college funding accounts, and social security income. This legislation is designed to protect essential assets for individuals facing financial difficulties, ensuring that they retain access to necessary resources even in the event of debt collection actions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 46A-2-141