West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB4799: To establish the cold case task force for the State of West Virginia
Status: Signed into law, April 1, 2026
What the bill says
An act to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §15-10-8, relating to the establishment of the cold case task force within the West Virginia State Police; establishing the executive board; clarifying that meetings of the board are not subject to open meetings laws; requiring the executive board to provide recommendations on procedures; creating the Task Force Director; providing the State Superintendent the power to select the Task Force Director and other officers on the task force, including retired police officer; establishing duties of the T.
From the enrolled text, March 13, 2026:
AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §15-10-8, relating to the establishment of the cold case task force within the West Virginia State Police; establishing the executive board; clarifying that meetings of the board are not subject to open meetings laws; requiring the executive board to provide recommendations on procedures; creating the Task Force Director; providing the State Superintendent the power to select the Task Force Director and other officers on the task force, including retired police officer; establishing duties of the Task Force Director; authorizing interagency cooperation; establishing the Cold Case Task Force Fund; specifying uses of the fund; and requiring data sharing from the fusion center. PREAMBLE: THIS LAW IS DESIGNATED AND MAY BE REFERRED TO AS THE LEAH HICKMAN MEMORIAL ACT. ARTICLE 10. COOPERATION BETWEEN LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. §15-10-8. Statewide cold case task force. (a) This section establishes a statewide multi-jurisdictional cold case task force within the State Police. The executive board of the cold case task force shall consist of the Superintendent of the State Police, the President of the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association, and the President of the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association. Meetings of the executive board are not subject to the provisions of §6-9A-1 et seq. of this code. (b) The purpose …