Capitol Beat: Time winding down for legislation to pass in the Two Virginias
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - Lawmakers in Richmond and Charleston are nearing the final stretch of work in this year’s 60-day legislative sessions.
In the Mountain State, a bill that would remove police mugshots from the public domain is heading to the State Senate for consideration. After passing the House of Delegates by a vote of 54-46 on Tuesday, House Bill 4621 looks to make sure photos taken of people arrested at any law enforcement agency or prison in W.Va. would no-longer be available to the public or news organizations until the person is convicted of a crime.
Supporters said they see the legislation as a way to be sure innocent people don’t have their lives ruined by a simple photo. But, one local opponent said West Virginians should know who their local law enforcement is arresting.
“I would have a healthy distrust of a government that did not disclose who they’re putting in jail. That is, you know, counterintuitive to everything that we consider an American value,” said Del. Brandon Steele (R-Raleigh.)
“I think this is a way to protect people that are innocent from having that stereotype put on them of being guilty because it’s a mug shot,” said Del Geoff Foster (R-Putnam.)
There are some exceptions in the bill, including allowing law enforcement to release photos of a fugitive being pursued, or someone deemed an imminent threat if released on bond.
In the Commonwealth, a bill moving through the Va. General Assembly would make Cardiac Emergency Plans mandatory at all school state-wide. Senate Bill 181 would also provide grants to help schools pay for and maintain AEDs and trainings.
It passed unanimously out of the House Subcommittee on K-12 Education on Tuesday -- and with apparent support going forward, the American Heart Association spoke out in-favor of the legislation as well.
“It super important that there is a person who is going to call 911, there is a person who gets the AED, there is a person who starts the chest compressions and that you know how these things happen,” said Nichole Wescott with the American Heart Association.
Senate Bill 181 now moves forward to the House Committee on Appropriations.
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