H. B. 2265

(By Delegates Louisos and Pino)
[Introduced February 24, 1993; referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend article seven, chapter fifty-five of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section eighteen, relating to immunity from civil liability by owners or occupants of single family residences or multifamily dwellings if a person is injured by any means while on the premises for any unlawful purpose or activity.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article seven, chapter fifty-five of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section eighteen, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 7. ACTIONS FOR INJURIES.

§55-7-18. Persons injured in single family residence or multifamily dwelling while engaged in unlawful purpose or activity; immunity from civil liability.

Any person, including a person who owns a single familyresidence or who is a tenant or other resident of a single family residence or owner, tenant or resident of a multifamily dwelling, is not liable for any civil damages as the result of any act or omission if another person enters the residence or dwelling for any unlawful purpose or activity and is injured, either accidentally or intentionally by any means, while on the premises of the residence or dwelling.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to limit civil liability for owners or occupants of single family residences or multifamily dwellings if another person is injured by any means while engaged in an unlawful activity on the premises of the residence or dwelling.

§55-7-18 is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.