This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to extend the protection of personal information to members of the Legislature, alongside existing protections for judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers. Specifically, it introduces the term "members of the Legislature" into the legal framework, ensuring that their home addresses and unpublished personal telephone numbers are safeguarded from disclosure without written consent. The bill emphasizes the importance of enhancing the safety and security of these public officials and their immediate family members, allowing them to perform their duties without fear of personal reprisal.

Additionally, the bill outlines the legal recourse available to individuals whose personal information is improperly disclosed. It establishes that affected individuals can pursue civil actions for violations, with potential awards including actual damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees. The bill also includes provisions for immediate family members of the protected individuals, allowing them to request the removal of disclosed information. Furthermore, it imposes penalties for willful non-compliance with removal requests, classifying such refusal as a misdemeanor. Overall, the bill aims to bolster the privacy protections for public officials in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5A-8-24