West Virginia 2021 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 6 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 537 — Relating generally to kidnapping

Last action — Chapter 85, Acts, Regular Session, 2021

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 02, 2021. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 66% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 15 sponsors

    1 primary, 14 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Failed a recorded vote

    Failed 1 recorded vote so far — a real headwind.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

12 added · 16 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill SB 537 clarify the language defining unlawful restraint. It now specifies that individuals who conceal, confine, or transport another person against their will can face consequences if they do so for reasons such as holding someone for ransom, inflicting bodily harm, or using them as a hostage. This update is important because it provides a clearer legal framework for prosecuting offenses related to unlawful restraint, aiming to enhance victim protection and support law enforcement in their investigations.

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NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version - Originating in Committee « Senate Bill 537 History OTHER VERSIONS  —  Enrolled Version - Final Version  |   |  Email Key:
NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Enrolled Version - Final Version « Senate Bill 537 History OTHER VERSIONS  —  Introduced Version - Originating in Committee  |   |  Email Key:
Red = new code to be enacted WEST virginia legislature regular session Originating Senate Bill 537 By Senators Azinger, Beach, Caputo, Grady, Karnes, Lindsay, Maynard, Phillips, Romano, Rucker, Smith, Weld, Woelfel, Woodrum, and Trump [Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary;
Red = new code to be enacted WEST virginia legislature regular session Enrolled Senate Bill 537 By Senators Azinger, Beach, Caputo, Grady, Karnes, Lindsay, Maynard, Phillips, Romano, Rucker, Smith, Weld, Woelfel, Woodrum, and Trump [Passed April 9, 2021;
reported on March 2, 2021] A BILL to amend and reenact §61-2-14a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the offense of kidnapping generally;
in effect 90 days from passage] AN ACT to amend and reenact §61-2-14a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the offense of kidnapping generally;
(1) Hold To hold another person for ransom, reward, or concession;
(1) Hold another person for ransom, reward, or concession;
(2) To transport another person with the intent to Inflict bodily injury;
(2) Inflict bodily injury;
or to (3) Terrorize terrorize the victim or another person;
(3) Terrorize the victim or another person;
or (4) (3) To Use use another person as a shield or hostage, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation for life, and, notwithstanding the provisions of §62-12-1 et seq.
or (4) Use another person as a shield or hostage, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation for life, and, notwithstanding the provisions of §62-12-1 et seq.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, where a law-enforcement agency of this state or a political subdivision thereof receives a complaint that a violation of the provisions of this section has occurred, the receiving law-enforcement agency shall notify any other law-enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the offense, including, but not limited to, the State Police and each agency so notified, shall cooperate in the investigation immediately forthwith.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, where a law-enforcement agency of this state or a political subdivision thereof receives a complaint that a violation of the provisions of this section has occurred, the receiving law-enforcement agency shall notify any other law-enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the offense, including, but not limited to, the State Police and each agency so notified, shall cooperate in the investigation immediately.
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Action History

  1. Chapter 85, Acts, Regular Session, 2021

  2. Approved by Governor 4/26/21

  3. To Governor 4/16/21

  4. Approved by Governor 4/26/21 - House Journal

  5. Approved by Governor 4/26/21 - Senate Journal

  6. To Governor 4/16/21 - House Journal

  7. To Governor 4/16/21 - Senate Journal

  8. House Message received

  9. Completed legislative action

  10. Communicated to Senate

  11. Passed House (Roll No. 557)

  12. Read 3rd time

  13. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  14. Read 2nd time

  15. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  16. Read 1st time

  17. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

  18. Do pass

  19. To House Judiciary

  20. To Judiciary

  21. Introduced in House

  22. Ordered to House

  23. Passed Senate (Roll No. 81)

  24. Read 3rd time

  25. On 3rd reading

  26. Read 2nd time

  27. On 2nd reading

  28. Read 1st time

  29. On 1st reading

  30. Reported do pass

  31. Originating in Senate Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 137 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

Not signed on (137)

137 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

public-safety
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 537?
SB 537 is sponsored by Randy E. Smith (Republican), Mike Azinger (Republican), Beach, Caputo, Amy Grady (Republican), Karnes, Lindsay, Maynard, Phillips, Romano, Patricia Rucker (Republican), Ryan Weld (Republican), Mike Woelfel (Democrat), Trump, and Jack Woodrum (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 537?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 02, 2021. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 537?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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