The bill introduced on January 20, 2026, aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 61-6-1c, which establishes the criminal offense of obstructing a highway or other passageway. The bill defines "obstruct" as rendering passage impassable or unreasonably inconvenient or hazardous. It outlines specific actions that constitute obstruction, including intentionally or recklessly blocking public access to highways, streets, sidewalks, or other passageways, as well as disobeying lawful orders from authorized personnel to move.

Penalties for violating this section are also detailed in the bill. A person found guilty of obstruction would face misdemeanor charges, resulting in a fine of at least $500 and a minimum one-month imprisonment. If the violation occurs under aggravating circumstances—such as prior convictions for similar offenses or obstructing emergency vehicles or access to healthcare facilities—the offender could be charged with a felony, facing fines of at least $1,000 and imprisonment ranging from three months to three years.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-6-1c