The House Judiciary settled in for a lengthy meeting this on Wednesday afternoon with five bills being discussed.
House Bill 4595 updates the authority of LOCHHRA. The bill allows for executive sessions to be entered for the commission for specific investigations and presentations. The bill was amended to add in the specific instances the commission can go into an executive session. CPS, APS, Nursing Home Abuse, and Hospital Abuse were among the situations that were specified. The amended bill advances to the floor.
House Bill 4621 prohibits the release of mug shots of persons arrested for a crime unless that person is convicted of the crime. The amended bill advances to the House floor. The amended bill advances to the floor.
House Bill 4627 updates the way DNA is maintained by law enforcement in WV. The bill requires DNA testing of all convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors. The bill requires testing of qualified arrestees on intake. The bill authorizes expungement for qualified arrestees in certain circumstances. The bill advances.
House Bill 4666 increases criminal penalties for human trafficking. The bill would make the felony penalty a determinate sentence of 15 to 40 years for trafficking an adult. If found guilty of trafficking a minor, the felony penalty would be a determinate sentence of 25 to 100 years. For forced labor, the penalty would be a determinate sentence of 15 to 40 years for using an adult and 25 to 100 years for using a minor. For using an adult or minor in debt bondage, the determinate sentence would be 15 to 40 years. For sexual servitude of an adult, the penalty will be 25 years with no maximum. For sexual servitude of a minor, the penalty for the class 1 felony would be 50 years with no maximum. For patronizing a victim of sexual servitude, the penalty is 25 to 100 years if the victim is an adult. If the victim a minor, the penalty is 50 years with no maximum. Individuals must serve at least half of their sentence and if the victim is a minor, then the convicted individual would not be eligible for parole. The bill advances to the floor.
House Bill 4683 requires parents or guardians to participate in programs for juveniles in an out-of-home placement provided there is not a court finding that said participation is not in the best interest of the juvenile. The bill advances to the floor.
House Bill 4675 was pulled from the agenda.
