Plain English Breakdown
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HB5580 • 2026
Relating to liability of the local emergency telephone systems.
Relating to liability of the local emergency telephone systems.
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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2026-02-16
H
To House Judiciary
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2026-02-16
H
Introduced in House
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2026-02-16
H
To Judiciary
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2026-02-16
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Relating to liability of the local emergency telephone systems.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 5580 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 5580 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 5580 By Delegate Lewis [Introduced February 16, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary] A BILL to amend and reenact §24-6-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to liability of the local emergency telephone systems; excepting gross negligence from immunity; and adding immunity protection to referrals to the national 988 hotline. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 6. LOCAL EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM. §24-6-8. Limitation of liability. (a) A public agency or a telephone company participating in an emergency telephone system or a county which has established an enhanced emergency telephone system, and any officer, agent or employee of the public agency, telephone company or county is not liable for damages in a civil action for injuries, death or loss to persons or property arising from any act or omission, except gross negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, in connection with developing, adopting or approving any final plan or any agreement made pursuant to this article, or otherwise bringing into operation or participating in the operation of an emergency telephone system, referrals to the national crisis hotline, or an enhanced emergency telephone system pursuant to this article. (b) "National crisis hotline" means the telephone or text access number "988" or its successor that is designated as the national mental health hotline administered pursuant to 42 USC 290bb-36c. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide immunity for local emergency telephone systems for referral to the national mental health hotline known as "988" and removing acts gross negligence from immunity protection. 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: