H. B. 2443

         (By Delegates Overington, Wells, Hunt, Longstreth,

                      Brown, Michael and Ferro)

         [Introduced January 11, 2012

; referred to the

         Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-8-19c, relating to prohibiting wagering at animal fighting ventures and providing a felony criminal penalty.

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 §61-8-19c, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 8. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY AND DECENCY.

§61-8-19c. Wagering at animal fighting ventures prohibited; penalty.

    (a) It is unlawful for any person to bet or wage money or any other thing of value in any location or place where an animal fighting venture occurs.

    (b) It is unlawful for any person to conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct, lease or own all or part of a business or premises when that person has knowledge that betting or wagering at an animal fighting venture occurs.

    (c) Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000, or imprisoned in a state correctional facility not less than one year nor more than five years, or both fined and imprisoned.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit wagering at animal fighting ventures and providing a felony criminal penalty.

    This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.