WV HB4131

Establishes procedural protections for law-enforcement officers under internal investigation, including the right to be informed of charges, have counsel present during interrogations, and receive copies of investigatory files at least 10 days before hearings

Requires complaints alleging police brutality to be signed and sworn under penalty of perjury by the aggrieved individual, a family member, or a witness with firsthand knowledge, and must be filed within 366 days of the alleged incident

Creates a hearing board system of at least three law-enforcement officers to adjudicate disciplinary matters that could result in demotion, dismissal, transfer, loss of pay, or similar punitive actions

Prohibits retaliation against officers who exercise rights under the act, disclose government waste or mismanagement, report violations by other officers, or exercise constitutional rights

Allows expungement of formal complaint records after three years if the officer was exonerated, charges were not sustained, or a hearing board found not guilty