Plain English Breakdown
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HB4662 • 2026
Creating additional sentences for convicted inmates who test positive for illegal substances or who are found to be in possession of illegal or controlled substances
Creating additional sentences for convicted inmates who test positive for illegal substances or who are found to be in possession of illegal or controlled substances
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-01-21
H
To House Judiciary
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2026-01-21
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-21
H
To Judiciary
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2026-01-21
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Creating additional sentences for convicted inmates who test positive for illegal substances or who are found to be in possession of illegal or controlled substances
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 4662 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version House Bill 4662 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 4662 By Delegates Brooks, T. Howell, Adkins, and Green [Introduced January 21, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §62-8-1a, relating to crimes by and proceedings against inmates; and creating the offense of being in possession of drugs or testing positive for drug use while incarcerated; mandating testing after three months of incarceration; and creating penalties. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: Article 8. Crimes by and Proceedings Against Inmates. §62-8-1a. Inmates in possession of illegal drugs or testing positive for illegal drugs while incarcerated; penalties; when testing begins. (a) While incarcerated, inmates should not be in possession of illegal drugs nor test positive for the use of illegal drugs. If any inmate is found to be in possession of illegal drugs or tests positive for illegal drugs while incarcerated, the following penalties shall apply: (1) For a first offense, the incarcerated individual shall have six months added to the sentence they are currently serving, with any term of confinement pursuant to this subdivision is to be consecutive to any term of confinement already imposed; and (2) For a second or subsequent offense, the incarcerated individual shall have one year added to the sentence they are currently serving, which shall be served consecutively in addition to the current sentence, for each instance of possession or a positive drug test; and (3) If there are multiple instances of possession or positive drug tests, the sentences shall run consecutive following the completion of the sentence the incarcerated individual is currently serving. (b) Testing for the use of illegal drugs shall begin after three months of incarceration for every incarcerated individual and shall be conducted thereafter in accordance with the availability of testing equipment and staff to conduct said tests or upon suspicion that the incarcerated individual may be in possession of illegal drugs or fail a drug test for illegal drugs. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the offense of being in possession of drugs or testing positive for drug use while incarcerated, setting penalties for first, second, and subsequent offenses, and mandating testing after three months of incarceration for illegal drugs. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: