COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

H. B. 2116


(By Delegate Love)


(Originating in the House Committee on Finance)


[March 25, 1993]



A BILL to amend article seven, chapter twenty of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section one-d, relating to natural resources; authorizing the awarding of his or her service revolver to a conservation officer upon his or her retirement under specified conditions; and requiring the division of natural resources to furnish upon request uniforms for burial of certain deceased conservation officers.

 Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article seven, chapter twenty of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section one- d, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 7. LAW ENFORCEMENT, MOTORBOATING, LITTER.

ยง20-7-1d. Awarding service revolver upon retirement; furnishing
uniform for burial.
(a) Upon the retirement of any full-time salaried conservation officer, the chief conservation officer shall award to the retiring conservation officer his or her service revolver, without charge, upon determining:
(1) That the conservation officer is retiring honorably with at least twenty-five years of recognized law enforcement service as determined by the chief conservation officer; or
(2) That such conservation officer is retiring with less than twenty-five years of service based upon a determination that he or she is totally physically disabled as a result of service with the division.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the chief conservation officer shall not award a service revolver to any conservation officer who has been declared mentally incompetent by a licensed physician or any court of law, or who, in the opinion of the chief conservation officer, constitutes a danger to any person or the community.
(c) Upon the death of any current or honorably retired conservation officer, the chief conservation officer shall, upon request of the deceased officer's family, furnish a full uniform for burial of the deceased officer.