HB 5176
Relating to creating the animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes a database within the West Virginia State Police to track individuals convicted of animal abuse offenses. The database will include names and details of qualifying offenses, such as those related to animal cruelty. Individuals convicted of these offenses will be required to pay an annual fee to maintain their listing in the database, with the fees deposited into a special fund for the State Police. The database will also allow for removal of a person's information under specific circumstances, like vacated convictions or executive clemency.
Key provisions
- Creates an animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police.
- Lists convicted individuals of specific animal abuse offenses (§19-20-24, §61-8-19, §61-8-19a, §61-8-19b, §61-8-19c) in the database.
- Requires annual fees of $125 for inclusion in the database, paid to the State Police detachment in the individual's county of residence.
- Directs fees to the West Virginia State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Fund.
- Requires prosecuting attorneys to report convictions to the State Police.
- Establishes a process for removing individuals from the database upon conviction vacation, reversal, expungement, or executive clemency.
- Specifies procedures for petitioning the circuit court for removal and the State Police's responsibilities in implementing the removal.
Who is affected
- Individuals convicted of animal abuse offenses.
- West Virginia State Police.
- Prosecuting Attorneys.
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