H. B. 4598

         (By Delegates Marcum and Sobonya)

         [Introduced February 17, 2014; referred to the

         Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §51-1-22, relating to requiring the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to maintain a searchable, criminal database containing copies of all arrests and convictions by all the courts in the state.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §51-1-22, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 1. SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS.

§51-1-22. Authority to maintain criminal database.

    (a) The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals shall maintain a searchable, criminal database containing copies of all arrests and convictions by all the courts in the state.

    (b) The database shall include, but not be limited to, name, date of arrest, offense, plea or jury trial, sentence, discharge, probation and type of crime.

    (c) The Division of Corrections, the State Police, the county sheriffs, municipal police departments, regional jails, circuit clerks and judges and magistrates shall assist and cooperate with the Supreme Court in any manner the court considers necessary.

    (d) The database may be accessed and used by any law- enforcement agency in the state.

    (e) The database shall be implemented by October 1, 2016.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to maintain a searchable, criminal database containing copies of all arrests and convictions by all the courts in the state.

    This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.