WEST virginia legislature

2017 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 436

By Senators Gaunch, Blair, Maroney, Trump, Unger, Boso, Takubo, Rucker, Cline, Facemire and Romano

[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported on March 1, 2017]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-3-6, relating to Attorney General’s investigators; allowing them to carry firearms while engaged in their official duties; establishing initial and ongoing training and certification requirements; and requiring the designated investigators be bonded through the Office of the Attorney General.

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 §5-3-6, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 3. ATTORNEY GENERAL.

§5-3-6. Authorizing Attorney General’s investigators to carry firearms; qualification requirements.

Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the Attorney General may designate investigators employed by the Office of the Attorney General to carry firearms while  performing official duties: Provided, That as a condition of carrying a firearm during the performance of official duties, a designated investigator must successfully complete a firearms  training course equivalent to the State Police Academy entry level law-enforcement certification course, complete annual firearms qualifications equivalent to the annual firearms qualifications standards for West Virginia certified law-enforcement officers as established by the Law Enforcement Professional Standards Subcommittee of the Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Correction and be bonded through the Office of the Attorney General.