Plain English Breakdown
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HB4680 • 2026
Prohibit the shutdown of churches or places of worship
Prohibit the shutdown of churches or places of worship
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
Prohibit the shutdown of churches or places of worship
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 4680 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 4680 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 4680 By Delegates Anders, White, Kimble, Kump, Brooks, Dillon, and Funkhouser [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 §15-5-31, relating to ensuring that religious services and houses of worship remain open during any declared state of emergency by the Governor of West Virginia; providing for a cause of action; establishing a two-year statute of limitations to file suit; and providing an effective date. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 5. DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. §15-5-31. Religious Freedom Protection Act. (a) Emergencies - Notwithstanding any other provision in this act to the contrary, no order issued pursuant to the authority granted under §15-5-6, nor any control measure taken under §15-5-1 et seq ., may do any of the following: (1) Infringe on the right to assemble to worship according to a person's faith ; (2) Impact the ability to travel to or from a place of worship ; (3) Authorize any adverse action against a religious institution or members of a religious organization for exercising their religion. (b) Definition - For purposes of this section, the term "adverse action" shall include the application of a civil or criminal penalty or the imposition of an administrative sanction. (c) Cause of action - Any religious institution that suffers any direct or indirect harm as a result of a violation of this section shall have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, and any other relief available under law. (d) Statute of limitations - All civil actions must be initiated within two years after the harm occurred. Persons or organizations who prevail on a claim brought pursuant to this section shall be entitled to monetary damages, including for any psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered, reasonable attorney's fees and costs, and any other appropriate relief. (e) Effective date - This act shall take effect immediately upon passage. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to ensure that protections are in place to protect religious services during a declared state of emergency by the Governor or other declarations by the executive branch that would impose restrictions upon such houses of worship. 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: