The West Virginia House of Delegates advances two bills to Senate.
House Bill 4412 would require any commercial entity that distributes or publishes sexual material more than 33.3% to implement age-verification procedures, including the usage of a government ID, digital identification, or any other method that can use data reasonably to verify the individual’s age. This bill also lays out penalties and fines for violations of the bill, including, but not limited to, failing to verify someone’s age or irresponsible retention of data.
House Bill 4725 would allow a court to order a change in the animal’s place of custody and to order the animal euthanized if it is in the animal’s best interests or for public health and safety. The euthanasia of the animal must be based on a sworn testimony of a licensed veterinarian or animal control officer.
This bill was advanced to third reading yesterday, with the right to amend. Delegates Kayla Young (D – Kanawha, 56) and JB Akers II (R – Kanawha, 55) each proposed their respective amendments.
Delegate Young and Akers’ amendments both pertained to adding crime and penalties for animal cruelty, specifically for sexual abuse. Following discussion of the Akers’ amendment, Delegate Young withdrew her amendment and became a cosponsor the other amendment.
The amendment, now sponsored by Delegate Young and Delegate Akers, was adopted. This amendment makes anyone who engages in sexual abuse of an animal be charged with a felony, be confined to prison for 1 to 5 years, and receive a fine between $1000-$5000. This amendment would also give power to the courts to make decisions for the safety of the animal.
Bills introduced can be found here.
Resolutions introduced can be found here.
Committee Meetings, Today February 12
- Sub. Com on Legal Services will meet following floor session in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Courts will meet following Legal Services in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Homeland Security will meet following Courts in Room 410M
- Government Organization at 1 p.m. in Room 215E
- Sub. Com on Public Education at 1 p.m. in Room 432M
- Sub. Com on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism at 2 p.m. in Room 215E
- Health and Human Resources at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E
Committee Meetings, Friday February 13
- Finance at 9 a.m. in Room 460M
- Judiciary at 9 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Courts at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Homeland Security at 10 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Legal Services at 10:15 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Local Government at 1 p.m. in Room 215E
- Sub. Com on Educational Choice at 1 p.m. in Room 432M
- Sub. Com on Government Administration at 2 p.m. in Room 215E
The House is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2026.Â
