This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by specifically exempting the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The proposed change introduces new legal language stating that records and materials related to the detection and investigation of crime, which are received and maintained by a prosecuting attorney, are not subject to public disclosure. This amendment is intended to clarify that the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is not considered a custodian of records under the FOIA, thereby protecting sensitive information related to criminal investigations from being accessed by the public.

The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality in prosecutorial activities, which may include sensitive evidence and investigative materials that could compromise ongoing cases or the safety of individuals involved. By exempting the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney from FOIA requests, the legislation seeks to ensure that prosecutorial functions can be carried out without the potential hindrance of public records requests, thereby enhancing the integrity and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 29B-1-4