Bill > HB5176

This bill establishes an animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police, which will be publicly accessible on their website in a searchable format. Individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to specific animal abuse offenses, as outlined in various sections of West Virginia Code, will have their names and relevant conviction details, including the offense and county, added to this database. Those listed are required to pay an annual fee of $125 to help cover the costs of maintaining the database, with these fees going into a special revenue account for the State Police. Prosecuting attorneys are mandated to report qualifying convictions to the State Police for inclusion in the database. Provisions are made for individuals to petition for removal from the database if their conviction has been expunged, set aside, or pardoned, or after a certain period of time has passed since a misdemeanor (five years) or felony (15 years) conviction, provided they can demonstrate rehabilitation and no pending charges. The bill also grants immunity from civil liability to public officials, employees, and agencies involved in the database's operation, as well as to entities selling or conveying animals, except in cases of gross negligence or bad faith.

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http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5176&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill