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WV HB5541

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/16/2026

Primary Sponsor

Josh Holstein

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Expands West Virginia's "Daniel's Law" personal information protections to cover all elected officials at state and local levels, including those who have won elections but not yet taken office
  • Prohibits state and local government agencies from disclosing home addresses or unpublished phone numbers of elected officials without written permission
  • Bars persons, businesses, and associations from disclosing protected information when a reasonable person would believe it could expose someone to harassment or risk of harm
  • Allows civil lawsuits for violations with minimum damages of $1,000 per violation, plus potential punitive damages, attorney's fees, and equitable relief
  • Creates a misdemeanor offense (up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail) for willfully refusing to remove protected information within 24 hours of receiving a written removal request

Legislative Description

Relating to the protection of personal information for elected officials

Public Safety

Last Action

To House Judiciary

2/16/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/16/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available