WEST virginia legislature
2026 regular session
Enrolled
Committee Substitute
for
Senate Bill 1026
By Senators Willis and Deeds
[Passed March 14, 2026; in effect 90 days from passage (June 12, 2026)]
AN ACT to amend and reenact §61-6-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the criminal penalties and fines for disturbing religious worship; clarifying that this section does not prohibit conduct protected by the First Amendment; and removing antiquated language.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
(a) If any person willfully interrupts, obstructs, or substantially disturbs any assembly of people meeting for religious worship, he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be confined in jail not more than one year and fined not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 for each violation.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit peaceful picketing, protest, or other expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment that does not willfully interrupt, obstruct, or substantially disturb any assembly of persons meeting for religious worship.
The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
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Clerk of the Senate
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Clerk of the House of Delegates
Originated in the Senate.
In effect 90 days from passage.
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President of the Senate
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Speaker of the House of Delegates
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The within is ................................................ this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026.
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Governor