West Virginia SB200: Increasing criminal penalties and fines for assault on certain public service workers, law-enforcement officers, and police animals

What the bill says

An act to amend and reenact §61-2-10b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931 as amended; to amend the code by adding a new section, designated §61-5-30; and to repeal §19-20-24, relating to increasing the criminal penalties and fines for assault or battery of governmental representatives, health care providers, utility workers, law-enforcement officers, correctional employees, emergency medical service personnel, and animals used for law enforcement; providing criminal penalties and fines for the crime of causing death or injury to animals used by law-enforcement officials or by fire prevention or.

From the enrolled text, March 13, 2026:

AN ACT to amend and reenact §61-2-10b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931 as amended; to amend the code by adding a new section, designated §61-5-30; and to repeal §19-20-24, relating to increasing the criminal penalties and fines for assault or battery of governmental representatives, health care providers, utility workers, law-enforcement officers, correctional employees, emergency medical service personnel, and animals used for law enforcement; providing criminal penalties and fines for the crime of causing death or injury to animals used by law-enforcement officials or by fire prevention or investigation officials; defining terms; providing for the right to self-defense; providing an euthanasia exception; and requiring restitution when a public safety animal is killed or injured. CHAPTER 19. AGRICULTURE. ARTICLE 20. DOGS AND CATS. §19-20-24. Causing injury or death to police dogs and other public safety animals used by law-enforcement officials or by fire prevention or investigation officials; criminal penalties. [Repealed.] CHAPTER 61. CRIMES AND THEIR PUNISHMENT. ARTICLE 2. CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON. §61-2-10b. Malicious assault; unlawful assault; battery; and assault on governmental representatives, health care providers, utility workers, law-enforcement officers, correctional employees and emergency medical service personnel; definitions; penalties. (a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Government representative" means any officer or employee of the state or a political subdivision thereof, or a person under contract with a state agency …