summary
Introduced
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The purpose of this bill is to include canines in definitions of "law enforcement officers" in relation to crimes against law enforcement officers and the level of force allowable to protect said canines as law enforcement officers.
AI Summary
This bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly include canines and other trained animals working with law enforcement officers as "law-enforcement officers" for the purposes of crimes against them, meaning that harming such an animal while it is actively working or resting between assignments will carry the same penalties as if the crime were committed against a human officer. The bill clarifies that these animals are not state employees and do not have the same personnel protections, but it grants human officers the same authority to use force to defend these animals as they would use to defend a human officer. This change aims to provide greater legal protection for police canines and other working animals in West Virginia.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (8)
Laura Kimble (R)*,
Jim Butler (R),
Dana Ferrell (R),
Keith Marple (R),
Margitta Mazzocchi (R),
Bill Ridenour (R),
Carl Roop (R),
Bryan Ward (R),
Last Action
To House Judiciary (on 02/11/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5436&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill |
| BillText | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb5436%20intr.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=5436 |
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