West VirginiaWest Virginia law makes unauthorized transport or delivery of contraband a felony
West Virginia law makes unauthorized transport or delivery of listed items at correctional facilities a felony, with penalties that can include prison time.
What it does
Bringing listed items into a West Virginia correctional facility, or delivering them to someone held there, without authorization is a felony. The list includes weapons, drugs, and communication devices.
Argument forPunishing unauthorized transport and delivery could help keep weapons, drugs, and other dangerous items away from people in custody.
Argument againstA person who brings or delivers an unauthorized item could face a felony fine, years in prison, or both, even for a communication device.
More detail
A person who transports or delivers listed items without authorization commits a felony. This covers bringing listed items onto the grounds of a West Virginia jail, state or federal correctional facility, juvenile facility, or juvenile detention center, and delivering them to an adult or juvenile held in one. The person must lack authorization under law or from facility supervisors. The law took effect June 12, 2026, 90 days after passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 77, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 25Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026Major
- Mar 18To Governor 3/18/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment and title amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 631)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 11Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 462)Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11On 3rd reading
- Mar 10Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 10Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 10On 2nd reading
- Mar 9Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 9Immediate consideration
- Mar 9Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendmentMinor
- Feb 2To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 2To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 2Introduced in SenateMinor
- Jan 30Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 30Passed House (Roll No. 33)Passed House
- Jan 30Read 3rd timeMinor
- Jan 30On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 29Read 2nd timeMinor
- Jan 29On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 28Read 1st timeMinor
- Jan 28On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 27By substitute, do pass
- Jan 22Markup Discussion
- Jan 21To House JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 19Markup Discussion
- Jan 19To House Homeland SecurityMinor
- Jan 16To House JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 16Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 16To JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 16Filed for introductionIntroduced
Criminal Justice