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HB 4543

Prohibit certain individuals from living within 5,000 feet of a school or daycare

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adam Burkhammer

West Virginia bill would ban certain individuals from living within 5,000 feet of schools or daycares, though the bill doesn't specify which people face this restriction.

To House Judiciary
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Bill Summary · HB 4543

Legislative bill overview

HB 4543 would establish a residency restriction prohibiting certain individuals from living within 5,000 feet of schools or daycare facilities in West Virginia. The bill was introduced on January 19, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The legislation does not specify which individuals would be subject to this restriction, though such bills typically target sex offenders or individuals with specific criminal convictions.

Why is this important

Residency restrictions affect where thousands of people can legally live and have significant implications for housing access, family reunification, and reintegration into communities. These policies are contentious because evidence on their effectiveness at preventing crimes or protecting children is mixed, while they create documented challenges for compliance, employment, and rehabilitation. The bill's vague language—not specifying which individuals face restrictions—makes it difficult to assess its full scope and potential impact.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: The bill does not specify which categories of individuals face restrictions (sex offenders, violent offenders, all felons, etc.), making it impossible to evaluate scope and fairness without seeing amended language
  • Practical enforcement: 5,000-foot restrictions in rural areas may make legal housing nearly impossible to find, potentially increasing homelessness or driving non-compliance rather than public safety
  • Empirical effectiveness: Research shows residency restrictions have limited impact on reoffense rates and may actually increase recidivism by destabilizing housing and employment for people trying to reintegrate

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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