Introduced Version
House Bill 2393 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 2393
(By Delegate Fleischauer, Marshall, Barill, Lynch, Manypenny,
Iaquinta, Fragale, Longstreth, Eldridge, Marcum and Sobonya)
[Introduced February 13, 2013; 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 §61-5-17a, relating
to making it a criminal offense for any person to
intentionally interfere with or prevent an individual from
calling for the assistance of emergency service personnel;
defining terms; and establishing 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 §61-5-17a, to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 5. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC JUSTICE.
§61-5-17a. Willful interference with a call for emergency
services.
_____(a) A person, with the intent to deprive any other person of emergency services, may not interfere with or prevent another
person from:
_____(1) Using or accessing a 911 emergency telephone system;
_____(2) Making a report to a law-enforcement officer or agency or
fire department; or
_____(3) Requesting emergency medical assistance.
_____(b) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be confined in
jail for not more than six months, or fined not less than $100 nor
more than $500, or both.
_____(c) As used in this section, to "interfere with or prevent"
includes, but is not limited to, the seizure, concealment,
obstructing access to or disabling or disconnection of a telephone,
telephone line or equipment or other communication device.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to make it a crime to
interfere with or prevent a person from reporting a crime or
seeking emergency assistance.
§61-5-17a is new; therefore, it has been completely
underscored.