This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by clarifying that the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is not considered a custodian of records and is therefore exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The proposed changes include the insertion of new language that explicitly states that records and materials related to the detection and investigation of crime, which are received and maintained by a prosecuting attorney, are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. This addition is intended to protect sensitive information that could compromise ongoing investigations or legal proceedings.

In addition to the new provisions regarding the prosecuting attorney's office, the bill retains existing exemptions under the FOIA, which cover a wide range of sensitive information, including trade secrets, personal information, law enforcement records, and various security-related documents. The overall goal of the bill is to enhance the confidentiality of prosecutorial records while maintaining the integrity of public access to information in other areas.

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