Plain English Breakdown
The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.
SB4 • 2026
Relating to crimes against public justice
Relating to crimes against public justice
Enacted
This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.
Amendments
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Rejected
Plain English: SB4 HFA Hornbuckle 3-11 Altizer 3259 Delegate Hornbuckle moves to amend "SB4 H JUD AM #1" on page 1, by amending the Section heading by striking out the number "30" and inserting in lieu thereof, the number "15"; And, On page 1, Section 30, line 8 by striking out the number"30" and inserting in lieu thereof the number "15".
- SB4 HFA Hornbuckle 3-11 Altizer 3259 Delegate Hornbuckle moves to amend "SB4 H JUD AM #1" on page 1, by amending the Section heading by striking out the number "30" and inserting in lieu thereof, the number "15"; And, On page 1, Section 30, line 8 by striking out the number"30" and inserting in lieu thereof the number "15".
- This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
Plain English: SB4 HFA Hornbuckle 3-11 Altizer 3259 Delegate Hornbuckle moves to amend "SB4 H JUD AM #1" on page 1, by amending the Section heading by striking out the number "30" and inserting in lieu thereof, the number "15"; And, On page 1, Section 30, line 8 by striking out the number"30" and inserting in lieu thereof the number "15".
- SB4 HFA Hornbuckle 3-11 Altizer 3259 Delegate Hornbuckle moves to amend "SB4 H JUD AM #1" on page 1, by amending the Section heading by striking out the number "30" and inserting in lieu thereof, the number "15"; And, On page 1, Section 30, line 8 by striking out the number"30" and inserting in lieu thereof the number "15".
- This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
Plain English: SB4 SFA Willis 3-13 #1 Cobb 7888 Senator Willis moved to amend the amendment by striking out everything after the article heading and inserting in lieu thereof the following: §61-5-30.
- SB4 SFA Willis 3-13 #1 Cobb 7888 Senator Willis moved to amend the amendment by striking out everything after the article heading and inserting in lieu thereof the following: §61-5-30.
- Bystanders shall stand 30 feet back from first responders engaged in the lawful performance of their duties.
- (a) As used in this section, the term: "First responder" includes a law-enforcement officer as defined in §30-29-1 of this code, a probation officer as described in §62-12-6 of this code, or a firefighter or emergency responder as defined in §5H-1-2 of this code.
- “Harass” means to willfully engage in a course of conduct directed at a first responder to persistently annoy, pester, or torment, which creates a hostile or offensive environment.
- This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
Plain English: SB4 SFA Willis 3-13 #1 Cobb 7888 Senator Willis moved to amend the amendment by striking out everything after the article heading and inserting in lieu thereof the following: §61-5-30.
- SB4 SFA Willis 3-13 #1 Cobb 7888 Senator Willis moved to amend the amendment by striking out everything after the article heading and inserting in lieu thereof the following: §61-5-30.
- Bystanders shall stand 30 feet back from first responders engaged in the lawful performance of their duties.
- (a) As used in this section, the term: "First responder" includes a law-enforcement officer as defined in §30-29-1 of this code, a probation officer as described in §62-12-6 of this code, or a firefighter or emergency responder as defined in §5H-1-2 of this code.
- “Harass” means to willfully engage in a course of conduct directed at a first responder to persistently annoy, pester, or torment, which creates a hostile or offensive environment.
- This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
Plain English: SB4 SFA Willis 3-13 #2 Cobb 7888 Senator Willis moved to amend the amendment by striking out everything after the article heading and inserting in lieu thereof the following: §61-5-30.
- SB4 SFA Willis 3-13 #2 Cobb 7888 Senator Willis moved to amend the amendment by striking out everything after the article heading and inserting in lieu thereof the following: §61-5-30.
- Bystanders shall stand 30 feet back from first responders engaged in the lawful performance of their duties.
- (a) As used in this section, the term: "First responder" includes a law-enforcement officer as defined in §30-29-1 of this code, a probation officer as described in §62-12-6 of this code, or a firefighter or emergency responder as defined in §5H-1-2 of this code.
- “Harass” means to willfully engage in a course of verbal conduct directed at a first responder that creates a hostile environment.
- This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
Plain English: SB4 SFA Willis 3-13 #2 Cobb 7888 Senator Willis moved to amend the amendment by striking out everything after the article heading and inserting in lieu thereof the following: §61-5-30.
- SB4 SFA Willis 3-13 #2 Cobb 7888 Senator Willis moved to amend the amendment by striking out everything after the article heading and inserting in lieu thereof the following: §61-5-30.
- Bystanders shall stand 30 feet back from first responders engaged in the lawful performance of their duties.
- (a) As used in this section, the term: "First responder" includes a law-enforcement officer as defined in §30-29-1 of this code, a probation officer as described in §62-12-6 of this code, or a firefighter or emergency responder as defined in §5H-1-2 of this code.
- “Harass” means to willfully engage in a course of verbal conduct directed at a first responder that creates a hostile environment.
- This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
Bill History
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2026-04-01
S
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026
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2026-03-19
S
To Governor 3/19/2026
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2026-03-14
H
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal
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2026-03-14
S
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal
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2026-03-14
S
To Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate Journal
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2026-03-14
S
Completed legislative action
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2026-03-14
S
Communicated to House
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2026-03-14
S
Senate receded and passed (Roll No. 691)
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2026-03-14
S
House Message received
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2026-03-14
H
Communicated to Senate
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2026-03-14
H
House refused to concur; requested Senate to recede (Voice)
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2026-03-14
H
House received Senate message
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2026-03-13
S
Senate requests House to concur
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2026-03-13
S
Senate amended House amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 592)
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2026-03-13
S
House Message received
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2026-03-12
H
Communicated to Senate
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2026-03-12
H
Passed House (Roll No. 411)
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2026-03-12
H
Read 3rd time
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2026-03-12
H
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
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2026-03-11
H
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
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2026-03-11
H
Amendment rejected (Roll No. 409)
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2026-03-11
H
Amendment reported by the Clerk
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2026-03-11
H
Read 2nd time
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2026-03-11
H
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
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2026-03-10
H
Read 1st time
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2026-03-10
H
Immediate consideration
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2026-03-10
H
With amendment, do pass
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2026-02-12
H
Markup Discussion
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2026-01-30
H
To House Judiciary
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2026-01-30
H
To Judiciary
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2026-01-30
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-30
H
House received Senate message
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2026-01-29
S
Passed Senate (Roll No. 17)
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2026-01-29
S
Read 3rd time
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2026-01-29
S
On 3rd reading
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2026-01-28
S
Read 2nd time
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2026-01-28
S
On 2nd reading
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2026-01-27
S
Read 1st time
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2026-01-26
S
On 1st reading
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2026-01-23
S
Committee substitute reported
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2026-01-19
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Ordered to House
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2026-01-14
S
To Judiciary
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2026-01-14
S
Introduced in Senate
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2026-01-14
S
To Judiciary
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2026-01-14
S
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Relating to crimes against public justice
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
SB 4 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 Enrolled Version - Final Version Senate Bill 4 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 Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 4 By Senators Oliverio, Deeds, Woelfel, Thorne, Takubo, Willis, Woodrum, Rucker, and Tarr [Passed March 14, 2026; in effect 90 days from passage (June 12, 2026)] AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated § 61-5-30, relating to crimes against the public justice; defining terms; creating a barrier around first responders; and creating criminal penalties. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 5. Crimes Against the Public Justice. §61-5-30. Bystanders shall stand 30 feet back from first responders engaged in the lawful performance of their duties. (a) As used in this section, the term: "First responder" includes a law-enforcement officer as defined in §30-29-1 of this code, a probation officer as described in §62-12-6 of this code, or a firefighter or emergency responder as defined in §5H-1-2 of this code. (b) It is unlawful for a person, after receiving a verbal warning to not approach from a person he or she knows or reasonably should know is a first responder, who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to knowingly and willfully violate such warning and approach or remain within 30 feet of the first responder acting in a way to: (1) Impede or interfere with the first responder's ability to perform such duty; or (2) Threaten or menace the first responder with physical harm. (c) A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 or confined in jail not more than one year, or both fined and confined. The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled. ............................................................... Clerk of the Senate ............................................................... Clerk of the House of Delegates Originated in the Senate. In effect 90 days from passage. ............................................................... President of the Senate ............................................................... Speaker of the House of Delegates __________ The within is ................................................ this the........................................... Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026. ............................................................. Governor 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: