Bill > HB4190

This bill, relating to the restoration of civil rights, aims to automatically restore certain rights for individuals who have completed parole or probation or received an absolute discharge from imprisonment for a nonviolent felony offense committed in West Virginia. Specifically, it restores the right to serve on a jury and the right to possess a firearm, provided the person has not previously been convicted of another felony or disqualifying offense. This automatic restoration applies even if the person has not previously filed a petition to regain these rights, though they can still file a petition to obtain documentation. However, this automatic restoration does not apply to individuals convicted of certain offenses, including violent crimes against persons, offenses involving minors, cruelty to animals, use of deadly weapons, offenses involving actual or threatened violence, conspiracy to commit such offenses, intentional infliction of bodily injury, or offenses punishable by life imprisonment. The bill defines a "nonviolent felony" as any felony offense not listed in these disqualifying categories and clarifies that it does not affect the restoration of rights to hold elected office or vote.