H. B. 4039

         (By Delegate Howell)

         [Introduced January 12, 2012; 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 §61-3-59, relating to prohibiting the disruption of emergency communications by sabotage; providing penalties.

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 §61-3-59, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 3. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY.

§61-3-59. Disruption of emergency communications by means of sabotage; penalty.

    Any person who willfully disrupts emergency communications by theft of equipment or other means within the jurisdiction of any county within this state where communications equipment is present, with the intent to remove equipment to commit larceny shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility not less than one year nor more than ten years or fined not more than $10,000, or both.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to criminalize the disruption of emergency communications by means of sabotage and provide a penalty.

    §61-3-59 is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.