This bill proposes the establishment of an animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police, which will include the names of individuals convicted of specific animal abuse offenses. The database will contain essential information such as the individual's full name and the identification of the criminal offense. Individuals listed in the database will be required to pay an annual fee of $125, which will be used to maintain the database. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of prosecuting attorneys to report relevant convictions to the State Police and establishes procedures for individuals to petition for removal from the database if their convictions are vacated, expunged, or if they receive executive clemency.

Key provisions of the bill include the creation of a special revenue account for the collected fees, the requirement for prosecuting attorneys to report qualifying convictions, and the process for individuals to seek removal from the database. The bill emphasizes that failure to pay the annual fee will not be considered a violation of supervised release, but it allows for the recording of a judgment lien if the fee remains unpaid after notice is given. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accountability for animal abuse offenses and provide a mechanism for individuals to clear their names if their convictions are overturned.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2F-1