COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

H. B. 2141

(By Delegate Hamilton)


(Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary)


[March 15, 2005]


A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17-19-13a, relating to prohibiting persons from soliciting contributions on public highways; and penalties.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §17-19-13a, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 19. GENERAL CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.

§17-19-13a. Prohibiting solicitation by persons on public highways; penalties.

(a) No person may approach a motor vehicle on a public highway, in a zone with a speed limit exceeding 40 miles per hour, for the purpose of soliciting a contribution from the occupant .
(b) No person under 16 years of age may approach a motor vehicle on a public highway, in a zone with a speed limit exceeding 25 miles per hour, for the purpose of soliciting a contribution from the occupant.
(c) A person violating the provisions of this section shall be issued a warning citation upon a first offense. Upon a second or subsequent violation of the provisions of this section, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.


NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit persons from soliciting contributions on public highways and providing a penalty for violation.

This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.