2026 Regular Session

HB 4138

Relating to persons convicted of a crime

Law

Jurisdiction

West Virginia

Session

2026 Regular Session

Official source

Chamber

House of Delegates

Session

2026 Regular Session

Jurisdiction

West Virginia

Bill overview

This bill amends West Virginia code to clarify that individuals convicted of specific crimes, including sexual offenses like sexual assault of a spouse (previously repealed), must register as sex offenders. It expands the list of offenses requiring registration to include several existing statutes and clarifies the process for registration, including requirements for information provided and notification to law enforcement. The bill also addresses annual fees for registration and outlines procedures for notifying the State Police of a registrant’s release or transfer.

Key provisions

Requires individuals convicted of specified offenses (including sexual assault of a spouse) to register as sex offenders.
Expands the list of offenses triggering registration to include several existing West Virginia statutes.
Details the information required during the registration process, including personal details, vehicle information, and online activity.
Establishes procedures for notifying law enforcement of a registrant’s release or transfer.
Mandates a $125 annual registration fee, with specific payment and record-keeping requirements.
Clarifies the definition of ‘sexually violent predator’ and related terms.
Requires a statement acknowledging registration requirements to be signed in open court.
Specifies how the State Police must maintain and release registry information.

Who is affected

Individuals convicted of crimes, particularly sexual offenses.
West Virginia State Police.

Positions across the state

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

Reasons to support this legislation.

No arguments in favor have been submitted.

Submit yours

Arguments opposed

Reasons to oppose this legislation.

No arguments opposed have been submitted.

Submit yours

Legislative history

2026-01-14House

Filed for introduction

2026-01-14House

To Judiciary

2026-01-14House

Introduced in House

2026-01-14House

To House Judiciary

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

3/9/2026SenateVoice vote
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
2/2/2026HouseVoice vote
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Vote map

House districts

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0 districts with vote data

Nay

Yea

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

3/9/2026SenateVoice vote
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
2/2/2026HouseVoice vote
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

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HB 4138

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsor

Positions across the state

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Passage without roll call

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Passage without roll call

Bill text

Notable changes

Fiscal impact

Positions across the state

Passage without roll call

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Passage without roll call

Recorded roll calls