In one paragraph
West Virginia's HB 2431, the Fourth Amendment Restoration Act (2025 regular session), would have barred law enforcement officers, and anyone acting for law enforcement purposes, from using seven listed technologies, including facial recognition, license plate readers and surveillance drones, unless a warrant based on probable cause authorizes use against a specific person. Knowing and willful use would be a felony. It was sent to House Judiciary on February 17, 2025 and went no further.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have barred law enforcement use of listed surveillance technologies, including facial recognition, without a warrant.
Key provisions
- Listed technologies (15-17-3): real-time security monitoring, multimodal vehicle recognition, facial recognition, gun or firearm recognition, surveillance drones, license plate readers and digital identity ecosystems
- Use allowed only under a warrant issued against a specific person based on probable cause
- Knowing and willful use by an officer or political subdivision official would be a felony: at least one year and a day in confinement and a fine of at least $10,000 per occurrence (15-17-4)
- Political subdivisions could not implement or use the technologies and would have to discontinue existing use immediately; an official who refused would commit the same felony
- A person whose rights are violated may sue the officer or official (15-17-5)
- Text says the article is effective upon passage; introduced February 17, 2025 and sent to House Judiciary with no later action
Latest legislative action
Feb 17, 2025. To House Judiciary
Sponsors (showing 5 of 7)
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Anders R | Sponsor | HD-097 |
| Elias Coop-Gonzalez R | Sponsor | HD-067 |
| Jordan Bridges R | Sponsor | HD-033 |
| Larry Kump R | Sponsor | HD-094 |
| Laura Kimble R | Sponsor | HD-071 |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error