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Bill

HB 4190

Relating to the restoration of civil rights

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Dean and 7 co-sponsors

HB 4190 establishes a process for restoring civil rights to individuals convicted of crimes in West Virginia after sentence completion.

To House Judiciary
#humanrights
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 4190

Legislative bill overview

HB 4190 addresses the restoration of civil rights in West Virginia, likely establishing a process for individuals to regain rights they lost due to criminal conviction. The bill has been introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it currently sits in early stages of consideration.

Why is this important

Restoring civil rights affects thousands of individuals who have completed sentences and seek to reintegrate into society through voting, employment, and civic participation. The specific framework chosen—whether automatic, petition-based, or time-dependent—significantly impacts both rehabilitation outcomes and public safety considerations. This is a substantive policy decision affecting criminal justice reform and individual second chances.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of rights restoration: Whether the bill covers voting rights only, or includes employment, firearm ownership, occupational licensing, and jury service
  • Eligibility criteria: Disagreements over waiting periods, offense categories (violent vs. non-violent crimes), and whether all felonies are treated equally
  • Restoration mechanism: Debate between automatic restoration after certain conditions, judicial discretion in case-by-case decisions, or requiring individual petition applications
  • Public safety vs. rehabilitation philosophy: Balance between protecting victims/community safety and enabling successful reentry for formerly incarcerated persons

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

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