West Virginia penalizes force that blocks sexual-offense care

A person who uses force or threatens force to interfere with someone seeking covered care commits a felony. The right applies to everyone in West Virginia. Covered sexual offenses include listed offenses and offenses involving sexual servitude, commercial sexual activity, or other sexual exploitation. Covered care is treatment allowed under West Virginia law or medical forensic care to collect biological evidence related to a sexual offense. A conviction may bring five to 15 years in prison, a fine up to $50,000, or both. The law took effect June 12, 2026, 90 days after passage.

A person who knowingly and intentionally forces or coerces a victim to have an illegal abortion commits a felony. This applies to a victim whose pregnancy resulted from a sexual offense. The sexual offense must have caused the victim’s pregnancy, and the abortion must violate West Virginia law. Force or coercion means physical harm, attempted harm, or a threat of harm intended to make a woman have an abortion against her will. Information, counseling, or help about alternatives to abortion does not count as force or coercion. A conviction may bring five to 15 years in prison, a fine up to $50,000, or both. The law took effect June 12, 2026, 90 days after passage.

Two or more people who conspire to commit either covered felony commit a felony. The planned crime must be forceful interference with covered care or knowingly and intentionally forcing or coercing an illegal abortion as described in this law. A conviction may bring five to 15 years in prison, a fine up to $50,000, or both. The victim of the sexual offense cannot be held criminally liable under this conspiracy provision. The law took effect June 12, 2026, 90 days after passage.