WV SB688

Creates the "Responsible Use of Facial Recognition Act" requiring law enforcement to obtain a warrant before using surveillance technologies including real-time security monitoring, facial recognition, surveillance drones, license plate readers, and multimodal vehicle recognition

Establishes a working group under the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security to develop a model policy for facial recognition technology use by January 1, 2026, with representatives from state police, sheriffs, police chiefs, and other law enforcement organizations

Requires all facial recognition technology used by West Virginia law enforcement to be produced entirely in the United States by American companies headquartered domestically, citing national security concerns about foreign adversary access to sensitive data

Prohibits facial recognition technology from being the sole basis for probable cause in arrests, searches, or seizures—independent evidence must be required

Mandates law enforcement agencies adopt written use policies before deploying facial recognition technology, including data retention limits, security measures, training requirements, and accuracy standards based on NIST testing