Mug shot bill passes House
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVVA) - A bill that would remove police mug shots from the public information domain has passed the West Virginia House and is now in the Senate for consideration.
If House Bill 4621 becomes law, photos taken of prisoners at any law enforcement agency or prison in the state would no longer be available to the public or news organizations until after a person is actually convicted of a crime.
The bill passed the House 54-46, with Mercer County Delegates Marty Gearheart and Doug Smith opposing the bill and Del. Joe Ellington supporting it.
The bill also provides for civil liability if the photo is published by a website or publication that has mug shots and will remove them for a price.
Some exceptions are included in the bill. Law enforcement agencies can release photos in the case of a fugitive being pursued or someone deemed an imminent threat if released on bond.
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