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HB 5322WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill HB 5322 Criminalizes Animal Sexual Abuse and Sets Penalties

Original title: Relating to Animal Abuse

Last action · February 9, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsor: Dave Foggin

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia House Bill 5322 establishes criminal penalties for individuals who engage in, promote, or facilitate the sexual abuse of animals. The measure mandates animal , ownership bans ranging from 5 to 15 years, and mandatory psychiatric evaluations upon conviction.

Why it matters

The measure establishes new criminal offenses with and tiers, imposing jail time up to 10 years, fines ranging from $300 to $10,000, mandatory animal surrender, and psychological evaluation requirements for convicted individuals.

Background

West Virginia law regulates various crimes against chastity, morality, and decency under Article 8 of Chapter 61 of the state code. context

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

Animal owners

Individuals face new criminal liabilities, mandatory animal forfeiture upon conviction, and long-term prohibitions on owning or residing with animals.

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

What constitutes sexual abuse of an animal under this bill?

Sexual abuse is defined as touching or contacting, or causing an object or another person to touch or contact, the mouth, anus, or sex organs of an animal or animal carcass for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.

What are the penalties for individuals who involve minors in animal sexual abuse?

Forcing or inducing a child under 18 to engage in sexual abuse, or engaging in it in the presence of a child under 18, is classified as a punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

Are convicted individuals prohibited from owning animals in the future?

Yes, courts must prohibit convicted persons from possessing, owning, exercising control over, or residing with any animal for a minimum of 5 years following a conviction and 15 years following a conviction.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

4 actions

Feb 9, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Judiciary
Feb 9, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Feb 9, 2026HouseCommittee
To Judiciary
Feb 9, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

West Virginia Legislature, Dave Foggin

OrganizationWest Virginia Legislature“Legislative body considering the bill”Map →

PersonDave Foggin“Delegate who introduced House Bill 5322”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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