Bill > HB2793

This bill seeks to prohibit billboards that provide information about abortion availability in states bordering West Virginia. The legislation is grounded in several legislative findings that emphasize West Virginia's interest in protecting prenatal life, ensuring public health, and maintaining the state's abortion ban. Specifically, the bill defines a billboard as any public display and prohibits the creation, erection, maintenance, leasing, or funding of billboards that: mention abortion availability in bordering states, identify abortion facilities or physicians in neighboring states, or implicitly or explicitly encourage abortion procedures. If someone violates these provisions, the Commissioner of Highways must report the suspected violation to the Secretary of State within 30 days, and any state resident can also report potential violations. The Secretary is required to investigate these reports and can permanently revoke business licenses and permits for violators. The bill provides an opportunity for hearings and allows the Attorney General to take additional legal actions, including using parens patriae authority (a legal doctrine allowing the state to protect those unable to protect themselves). The law represents a targeted approach to preventing abortion-related advertisement near West Virginia's borders, while attempting to maintain the state's restrictive abortion policies.

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http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2793&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill