This bill aims to enhance the protection of personal information for certain legal professionals in West Virginia, specifically district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, and district attorney investigators. It introduces a new section, 5A-8-21a, which defines "protected individuals" and establishes a process for these individuals to request that their personal information be withheld from public disclosure by public bodies or third parties. The bill outlines the requirements for making such requests, including the need for sufficient information to confirm the requester's status as a protected individual, and allows for legal action in the form of a mandamus if there is a violation of this provision.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that while protected individuals can request confidentiality, they are not exempt from the publication of their personal information in records that are publicly posted by the Office of the Secretary of State. The effective date for this new provision is set for July 1, 2026. Overall, the legislation seeks to balance the need for privacy for certain legal professionals with the public's right to access government records.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5A-8-21a