WV HB5059

Cultural heritage institutions (museums, libraries, archives, historical societies) in West Virginia may claim title to property on permanent or expired loans after providing 60-day notice to lenders, with no response treated as donation to the institution

Institutions may acquire title to undocumented property held for at least 3 years and unsolicited donations found on their premises by providing notice and waiting 60 days for ownership claims

Property on indefinite loan is presumed abandoned after 7 years without written communication between the institution and lender

Institutions may apply conservation measures to loaned property without lender permission if needed to protect property or address health/safety hazards, and may place a lien for conservation costs

Notice must be sent by certified mail to last known address, or may be published through website, email, social media, physical posting, or newspaper if lender identity or address is unknown or mail delivery fails