West VirginiaCertain people convicted of crimes must register with state police
People convicted of listed offenses must register with state police, and registrants pay one $125 annual fee even when both state registries apply.
What it does
People convicted of listed sexual and related offenses must register with state police, including some older or out-of-state convictions and offenses found to be sexually motivated.
Registered people pay one $125 fee each year, even when both registries apply; unpaid fees can lead to a judgment lien after written notice.
Argument forPeople listed on both registries could avoid paying two annual fees because one $125 payment satisfies both registration obligations.
Argument againstA person who misses the annual fee could face a judgment lien after notice, creating added pressure for people who cannot pay on time.
More detail
People convicted of listed offenses must register with the West Virginia State Police. The rule covers convictions or qualifying findings involving listed sexual offenses, sexual extortion, certain offenses involving intimate images, human trafficking for sexual servitude, and crimes found to be sexually motivated. The person must provide identifying, residence, work, school, vehicle, internet, phone, identification, and other required information. A conviction from another jurisdiction must have the same essential elements as a listed West Virginia offense. A written finding by the sentencing judge that the offense was sexually motivated also triggers registration. The registration rules apply both retroactively and prospectively. A person generally registers upon conviction, or within three business days after release when confined.
People required to register must pay the State Police one annual fee of $125. The fee applies to people registered under the Sex Offender Registration Act or the Central Abuse Registry. A person covered by both programs pays only one fee. The fee does not have to be paid twice when both registries apply. Failure to pay or show proof of payment may not be treated as a violation of supervised release. After certified notice of nonpayment, the unpaid fee may become a judgment lien. The State Police must release the lien after full payment. The fee is due each year between January 1 and June 30. A lien may be recorded 30 days after the person receives the nonpayment notice, and the State Police must release it within 30 days after full payment.
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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
- Aug 13Chapter 102, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 25To Governor 3/25/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded EFFECT FROM PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14Effective ninety days from passage
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to House
- Mar 14Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 687)
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14Effective from passage (Roll No. 598)
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment with amendment (Roll No. 597)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 10Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 394)Passed Senate
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10On 3rd reading
- Mar 9Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 9Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 9On 2nd reading
- Mar 6Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 6Immediate consideration
- Mar 6Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendmentMinor
- Feb 3To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 3To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 3Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 2Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 2Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Feb 2Passed House (Roll No. 35)Passed House
- Feb 2Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 2On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 30Read 2nd timeMinor
- Jan 30On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 29Read 1st timeMinor
- Jan 29On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 28By substitute, do pass
- Jan 23Markup Discussion
- Jan 22To House JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 21Markup Discussion
- Jan 21To House Legal ServicesMinor
- Jan 14To House JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 14Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 14To JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
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