Plain English Breakdown
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HB5198 • 2026
Relating to crimes against the intellectually disabled
Relating to crimes against the intellectually disabled
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Amendments
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Plain English: HB5198 HFAT Akers 2-21 WRV 3133 Delegate Akers moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows: H.
- HB5198 HFAT Akers 2-21 WRV 3133 Delegate Akers moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows: H.
- B.
- 5198 – “A BILL to amend and reenact §61-6-21 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting violations of an individual’s civil rights; clarifying that persons with a disability are included as a protected class in the section; creating definitions; and creating criminal penalties.” Adopted Rejected
- This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
Plain English: HB5198 HFAT Akers 2-21 WRV 3133 Delegate Akers moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows: H.
- HB5198 HFAT Akers 2-21 WRV 3133 Delegate Akers moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows: H.
- B.
- 5198 – “A BILL to amend and reenact §61-6-21 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting violations of an individual’s civil rights; clarifying that persons with a disability are included as a protected class in the section; creating definitions; and creating criminal penalties.” Adopted Rejected
- This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
Bill History
-
2026-02-24
S
To Judiciary
-
2026-02-24
S
To Judiciary
-
2026-02-24
S
Introduced in Senate
-
2026-02-23
H
Communicated to Senate
-
2026-02-23
H
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
-
2026-02-23
H
Passed House (Roll No. 165)
-
2026-02-23
H
Read 3rd time
-
2026-02-23
H
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
-
2026-02-20
H
Read 2nd time
-
2026-02-20
H
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
-
2026-02-19
H
Read 1st time
-
2026-02-19
H
On 1st reading, Special Calendar
-
2026-02-18
H
By substitute, do pass
-
2026-02-16
H
Markup Discussion
-
2026-02-13
H
To House Judiciary
-
2026-02-12
H
Markup Discussion
-
2026-02-12
H
To House Courts
-
2026-02-04
H
To House Judiciary
-
2026-02-04
H
Introduced in House
-
2026-02-04
H
To Judiciary
-
2026-02-04
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Relating to crimes against the intellectually disabled
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 5198 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 Engrossed Version House Bill 5198 History OTHER VERSIONS - Committee Substitute (1) | Introduced Version | | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST virginia legislature 2026 regular session ENGROSSED Committee Substitute for House Bill 5198 By Delegates Shamblin, Hall, Akers, Worrell, Ellington, Ferrell, Dittman, Moore, Masters, and Flanigan [Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; Reported on February 17, 2026] A BILL to amend and reenact §61-6-21 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting violations of an individual’s civil rights; clarify that persons with a disability are included as a protected class in the section; creating definitions; and creating criminal penalties. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 6. CRIMES AGAINST THE PEACE. §61-6-21. Prohibiting violations of an individual's civil rights; penalties. (a) All persons within the boundaries of the State of West Virginia have the right to be free from any violence, or intimidation by threat of violence, committed against their persons or property because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, or sex, or disability . (b) If any person does by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with, or oppress or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him or her by the Constitution or laws of the State of West Virginia or by the Constitution or laws of the United States, because of such other person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, or sex, or disability, he or she shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. (c) If any person conspires with another person or persons to willfully injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate or interfere with any citizen because of such other person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, or sex, or disability in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him or her by the Constitution or laws of the State of West Virginia or by the Constitution or laws of the United States, and in willful furtherance thereof to assemble with one or more persons for the purpose of teaching any technique or means capable of causing property damage, bodily injury or death when such person or persons intend to employ such techniques or means to violate this section, each such person shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. (d) The fact that a person committed a felony or misdemeanor, or attempted to commit a felony, because of the victim's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, or sex, or disability shall be considered a circumstance in aggravation of any crime in imposing sentence. (e) Nothing contained in this section makes unlawful the teaching of any technique in self-defense. (f) Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to make it unlawful nor to prohibit nor, in any manner, to impede or to interfere with any person in conducting labor union or labor union organizing activities. (g) For purposes of this section, " disability" has the same meaning as that term is defined in §16B-17-3 of this code. 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: