West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB4880: Protection of deployed service members
Status: Introduced, January 28, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §15-1H-7, relating to the creation of "The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act"; providing legislative findings; providing definitions; and describing protections for servicemembers and penalties for violating them. Article 1H. Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Facilities. §15-1H-7. The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act. (a) Short title. - This section shall be known and may be cited as "The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act." (b) Legislative Findings. - The Legislature finds that milita.
From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §15-1H-7, relating to the creation of "The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act"; providing legislative findings; providing definitions; and describing protections for servicemembers and penalties for violating them. Article 1H. Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Facilities. §15-1H-7. The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act. (a) Short title. - This section shall be known and may be cited as "The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act." (b) Legislative Findings. - The Legislature finds that military servicemembers who deploy for either training or military operations do so to benefit our nation and our state. The Legislature finds that servicemembers are far more effective in accomplishing their duties if they are assured that their loved ones, homes, and property are safeguarded. The Legislature finds that when servicemembers are concerned about their loved ones, homes, or property, they may become less capable in executing their duties and may suffer serious effects that both undermine their morale and well-being. The Legislature finds that instances have occurred wherein servicemembers' spouses have divorced servicemembers, and have sold homes under joint ownership, taken joint funds, have removed servicemembers' children, have taken other joint property, and have left servicemembers destitute and unable to resolve the myriad issues that arise from such actions. The Legislature finds that servicemembers who …