West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5674: Prohibiting civil rights violations based on disability, gender identity or sexual orientation
Status: Introduced, February 17, 2026
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §61-6-21 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting civil rights violations based on disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation; criminal penalties; when evidence of constitutionally protected speech or associations is not admissible in criminal prosecutions; exceptions; providing for sentencing alternatives for persons convicted of violations; and designating amendments to this section as "Angel's Law". ARTICLE 6. CRIMES AGAINST THE PEACE. §61-6-21. Prohibiting violations of an individual's civil rights; penalties; when evidence.
From the introduced text, February 17, 2026:
A BILL to amend and reenact §61-6-21 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting civil rights violations based on disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation; criminal penalties; when evidence of constitutionally protected speech or associations is not admissible in criminal prosecutions; exceptions; providing for sentencing alternatives for persons convicted of violations; and designating amendments to this section as "Angel's Law". ARTICLE 6. CRIMES AGAINST THE PEACE. §61-6-21. Prohibiting violations of an individual's civil rights; penalties; when evidence not admissible; sentencing alternatives; "Angel's Law". (a) All persons within the boundaries of the State of West Virginia have the right to be free from any violence, or intimidation by threat of violence, committed against their persons or property because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, or sex, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. (b) If any person does by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with, or oppress or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him or her by the Constitution or laws of the State of West Virginia or by the Constitution or laws of the United States, because of such other person's and the other person was intentionally …