The House passed five bills Wednesday, including a bill that establishes a felony crime for torture.
The House convened at 11 a.m. to pass House Bills 2086, 4077, 4119, 4417 and 4419.
House Bill 4119 amends West Virginia Code to establish criminal penalties and defining terms for torture. Under the bill, torture is defined as the intent to cause cruel or extreme physical or mental pain and suffering, and the infliction of serious bodily injury or mental suffering upon another person within his or her custody or physical control. This includes cases involving parental torture on their children and cases that involve abduction and torture. Currently, torture is not a defined felony crime in our state code. Without this bill, persons convicted of torture would be convicted under a different statute such as assault or attempted murder, based on the circumstances.
House Bills 4058 and 4275 were advanced to third reading.
House Bills 4002, 4393 and Senate Bill 94 were advanced to second reading.
Senate Bill 94 provides persons with physical disabilities and certain overseas military personnel the ability to vote by electronic absentee ballot. The bill defines the terms for persons eligible to vote by electronic absentee ballot.
Three resolutions, HCR 25, HCR 26 and HCR 27 were introduced. House Bills 4451- 4479 were also introduced.
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. Thursday.
