West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia SB4: Relating to crimes against public justice
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 §61-5-30, relating to crimes against the public justice; defining terms; creating a barrier around first responders; and creating criminal penalties. ARTICLE 5. Crimes Against the Public Justice. §61-5-30. Bystanders shall stand 30 feet back from first responders engaged in the lawful performance of their duties. (a) As used in this section, the term: "First responder" includes a law-enforcement officer as defined in §30-29-1 of this code, a probation officer as described in §62-12-6 of this code.
From the enrolled text, March 14, 2026:
AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §61-5-30, relating to crimes against the public justice; defining terms; creating a barrier around first responders; and creating criminal penalties. ARTICLE 5. Crimes Against the Public Justice. §61-5-30. Bystanders shall stand 30 feet back from first responders engaged in the lawful performance of their duties. (a) As used in this section, the term: "First responder" includes a law-enforcement officer as defined in §30-29-1 of this code, a probation officer as described in §62-12-6 of this code, or a firefighter or emergency responder as defined in §5H-1-2 of this code. (b) It is unlawful for a person, after receiving a verbal warning to not approach from a person he or she knows or reasonably should know is a first responder, who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to knowingly and willfully violate such warning and approach or remain within 30 feet of the first responder acting in a way or (2) Threaten or menace the first responder with physical harm. (c) A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 or confined in jail not more than one year, or both fined …
Sponsors
- Oliverio, Mike (R, 13) · primary sponsor