SB 18
Protecting employees who defend themselves from attack inside workplace from termination
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, SB 18, aims to protect employees in West Virginia who use reasonable force to defend themselves or others from being fired. It expands existing protections to allow employees to use deadly force in their workplace against an attacker if they reasonably believe they or another person is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm. However, certain exceptions apply, such as if the employee is attempting to commit a felony or initially provoked the attack.
Key provisions
- Employees can use deadly force in their workplace to defend themselves or others from imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm.
- Employees are not required to retreat when using deadly force to defend themselves in their workplace.
- The use of reasonable and proportionate force is a complete defense against civil lawsuits by attackers.
- Employees cannot be terminated solely for using reasonable force in self-defense.
- The bill does not apply if the employee is attempting to commit a felony or initially provoked the attack.
- The bill does not apply to creating hazardous conditions to prevent criminal conduct.
Who is affected
- Employees
- Employers
- Workplaces
- Individuals who may be attacked in the workplace
Notable changes
- Expands the existing legal justification for using force to include deadly force in the workplace.
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