SB 55
Establishing criminal offense for obstructing or hindering home incarceration supervisor or social services worker
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill creates a new felony offense in West Virginia for intentionally and physically obstructing or hindering a home incarceration supervisor or a social services worker while they are performing their duties. If such obstruction or hindrance results in the death of the supervisor or worker, the penalty is imprisonment for 15 to 60 years. The bill also defines key terms related to home incarceration and social services work.
Key provisions
- Creates a new felony offense for forcibly obstructing or hindering home incarceration supervisors or social service workers.
- The offense applies when the obstruction or hindrance occurs while the worker is lawfully performing their duties.
- Death resulting from the obstruction or hindrance increases the potential penalty to 15-60 years imprisonment.
- Defines ‘forcibly’ as involving the use of physical force.
- Defines ‘home incarceration supervisor’ as a person supervising individuals in home incarceration programs.
- Defines ‘social services worker’ as a person providing social services, including investigating abuse allegations and conducting home visits.
- The offense applies to law enforcement officers, probation officers, parole officers, courthouse security officers, correctional officers, the State Fire Marshal, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, home incarceration supervisors, and social service workers.
- The bill amends existing criminal code §61-5-17a to include this new offense.
Who is affected
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