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WV HB4433

Bill

Status

Passed

3/14/2026

Primary Sponsor

Bill Ridenour

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Creates a new crime of "human smuggling" defined as knowingly transporting, harboring, or shielding an illegal alien (not an immediate family member) from law enforcement, punishable by 2-10 years for adults and 3-15 years for minors

  • Increases penalties for human trafficking offenses: trafficking adults now carries 3-15 years (up from previous range), trafficking minors carries 5-20 years, and sexual servitude involving minors carries a minimum 50-year sentence

  • Establishes that illegal aliens who are victims of trafficking or smuggling are not eligible for court-ordered restitution payments from convicted offenders

  • Adds aggravating circumstances that eliminate parole eligibility, including use of deadly weapons, bodily injury, sexual offenses against victims, or any offense involving a minor victim

  • Authorizes seizure and forfeiture of vehicles, vessels, or aircraft used in human trafficking or smuggling when the owner knowingly participated in the offense

Legislative Description

Prohibiting Human Smuggling and Trafficking

Crime

Last Action

Approved by Governor 3/14/2026 - Senate Journal

3/14/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary1/28/2026
Judiciary1/16/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available