West Virginia Bill HB 5198 adds disability as protected class under civil rights crime laws

Original title: Relating to crimes against the intellectually disabled

Last action · February 24, 2026: To JudiciarySponsors: Andy Shamblin and 9 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia HB 5198 explicitly includes individuals with disabilities as a under state civil rights and hate crime laws, establishing felony penalties of up to $5,000 in fines, up to ten years imprisonment, or both for targeted violence, intimidation, or conspiracy.

Why it matters

People with disabilities gain explicit legal protection under West Virginia's civil rights statutes, meaning crimes committed against them based on their disability carry felony-level aggravated penalties.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Individuals with disabilities in West Virginia

Their persons and property receive explicit felony-level legal protections against targeted violence, intimidation, and civil rights violations.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill add disability to West Virginia's civil rights protections?

Yes, HB 5198 amends §61-6-21 of the West Virginia Code to explicitly include individuals with a disability as a .

What are the criminal penalties for violating this civil rights statute against a protected class member?

A person convicted of violating or conspiring to violate these civil rights provisions is guilty of a felony and faces a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than ten years, or both.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the House · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

21 actions

Feb 24, 2026SenateCommittee
To Judiciary
Feb 24, 2026SenateCommittee
To Judiciary
Feb 24, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced in Senate
Feb 23, 2026House
Communicated to Senate
Feb 23, 2026House
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
Feb 23, 2026HouseFloor
Passed House (Roll No. 165)

Show 15 earlier actions

Feb 23, 2026House
Read 3rd time
Feb 23, 2026House
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
Feb 20, 2026House
Read 2nd time
Feb 20, 2026House
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
Feb 19, 2026House
Read 1st time
Feb 19, 2026House
On 1st reading, Special Calendar
Feb 18, 2026House
By substitute, do pass
Feb 16, 2026House
Markup Discussion
Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Judiciary
Feb 12, 2026House
Markup Discussion
Feb 12, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Courts
Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Judiciary
Feb 4, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee
To Judiciary
Feb 4, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

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