Plain English Breakdown
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HB4979 • 2026
Reinstituting the maintenance of actions for alienation of affection and criminal conversation
Reinstituting the maintenance of actions for alienation of affection and criminal conversation
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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2026-01-29
H
To House Judiciary
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2026-01-29
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-29
H
To Judiciary
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2026-01-29
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Reinstituting the maintenance of actions for alienation of affection and criminal conversation
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 4979 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 4979 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 4979 By Delegates Ridenour, Adkins, Clay, Hillenbrand, Sheedy, Butler, T. Howell, Watt, Mazzocchi, Kimble, and White [Introduced January 29, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary] A BILL to amend and reenact §56-3-2a of the Code West Virginia, 1931, as amended, and by adding a new section, designated §55-7-31, relating to reinstituting the maintenance of civil actions for alienation of affection and criminal conversation. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: CHAPTER 55. ACTIONS, SUITS AND ARBITRATION; JUDICIAL SALE. ARTICLE 7. ACTIONS FOR INJURIES. § 55-7-31. Actions for alienation of affections and criminal conversation permitted. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a civil action may lie or be maintained in this state for alienation of affections, or, for criminal conversation, unless the civil action was instituted prior to the effective date of this section: Provided , That these claims may lie against a natural person, or, against a juridical person. (b) No act of the defendant may give rise to a cause of action for alienation of affection or criminal conversation that occurs after the plaintiff and the plaintiff's spouse physically separate with the intent of either the plaintiff or plaintiff's spouse that the physical separation remain permanent. (c) An action for alienation of affection or criminal conversation may not be commenced more than three years from the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action. CHAPTER 56. PLEADING AND PRACTICE. ARTICLE 3. WRITS, PROCESS AND ORDER OF PUBLICATION. §56-3-2a. Actions for breach of promise to marry and for alienation of affections prohibited. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no civil action shall lie or be maintained in this state for breach of promise to marry or for alienation of affections , unless such the civil action was instituted prior to the effective date of this section March 6, 1969 . NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to reinstitute the maintenance of civil actions for alienation of affection and criminal conversation 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: