This bill proposes the establishment of a Domestic Violence Offender Registry in West Virginia, which will be maintained by the State Police. The registry will include information such as the offender's name, date of birth, conviction date, and a current photograph, but will not disclose personal identifiers like addresses or social security numbers. Individuals convicted of offenses against intimate partners will be required to register, particularly if they have prior convictions or if the offense involved serious bodily injury or sexual assault. A registration fee of $150 will be imposed, with a portion allocated for the administration of the registry and the remainder directed to the Domestic Violence Legal Services Fund.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which offenders can be removed from the registry, specifying timeframes based on the number of prior convictions. It clarifies that the law applies only to offenses occurring after July 1, 2026, while allowing for prior convictions to influence registration requirements. The legislation also creates a Victims of Domestic Violence Fund to support the operations of the registry, funded through various sources including fees and grants. The bill emphasizes the intent to focus on ongoing risks posed by intimate partner violence rather than isolated family conflicts.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-17-1, 15-17-2, 15-17-3, 15-17-4, 15-17-5, 15-17-6, 15-17-7, 15-17-8, 15-17-9, 15-17-10, 15-17-11, 15-17-12
Committee Substitute: 15-17-1, 15-17-2