Bill > HB4799

This bill establishes a statewide multi-jurisdictional cold case task force within the West Virginia State Police to investigate and prosecute offenders in "cold cases," which are unsolved crimes. The task force will be overseen by an executive board composed of the Superintendent of the State Police, the President of the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association, and the President of the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association, and their meetings will not be subject to open meeting laws. The task force is authorized to cooperate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, but it cannot supersede ongoing investigations by other agencies. The executive board will set policies and procedures, including staffing levels, and the task force will be led by a director from the State Police. The director will supervise assigned officers, request assistance from other law enforcement agencies, coordinate with federal and state agencies, ensure compliance with board policies, and manage daily operations. A dedicated "cold case task force fund" will be created within the state Treasury to support the task force's operations, funded by various sources including legislative appropriations and interest earned, with expenditures requiring legislative appropriation except for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Additionally, the Director of the West Virginia Fusion Center will share necessary information with the task force, including data from the cold case database.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4799&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill