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SB611 • 2026
Codifying common-law definition of involuntary manslaughter
Codifying common-law definition of involuntary manslaughter
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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2026-01-27
S
To Judiciary
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2026-01-27
S
Introduced in Senate
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2026-01-26
S
To Judiciary
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2026-01-26
S
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Codifying common-law definition of involuntary manslaughter
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
SB 611 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 Senate Bill 611 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST virginia legislature 2026 regular session Introduced Senate Bill 611 By Senator Garcia [Introduced January 27, 2026; referred to the committee on the Judiciary] A BILL to amend and reenact §61-2-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to codifying the common-law definition of “involuntary manslaughter”; and specifying that a defendant’s act must proximately cause the death of another. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: Article 2. Crimes Against the Person. §61-2-5. Involuntary manslaughter; penalty. Involuntary manslaughter is a misdemeanor and, any person convicted thereof shall be confined in jail not to exceed one year, or fined not to exceed $1,000, or both, in the discretion of the court Any person who, in the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to one of the felony offenses enumerated in §61-2-1 of this code, or in the commission of an otherwise lawful act undertaken in an unlawful manner, unintentionally and proximately causes the death of another is guilty of the misdemeanor offense of involuntary manslaughter and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or confined in jail not more than one year, or both fined and confined. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to codify the common-law definition of the misdemeanor offense of involuntary manslaughter and to specify that a defendant’s act must proximately cause the death of another for a conviction to result. 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: