West Virginia Senate approves package of bills including newborn surrender, sextortion and teacher rules; several measures effective on passage

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on Feb. 21 approved several bills on third reading addressing newborn safe-surrender sites, crimes against public-safety animals, sexual-extortion offenses, school employment rules and teacher-retirement hiring. Most roll-call votes were recorded 32 yeas, 0 nays, with two senators absent.

The measures cleared the Senate during a floor session that included committee reports, bill introductions and routine announcements. Senators spoke briefly to explain the bills; debate on the measures was limited before the roll-call votes.

Among the bills that passed: an engrossed committee substitute to allow additional locations and devices for newborn safe surrender and to permit certain 24/7-staffed entities to accept custody of very young infants; a bill creating expanded penalties for assault on police dogs and other public-safety animals; and a committee substitute updating extortion statutes to address sextortion and to increase penalties. The Senate also approved changes to employment rules for school cooks and custodians and extended provisions governing retired teachers employed as substitute teachers, and it expanded when a personal finance course may count toward graduation requirements.

Votes at a glance

- Engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 8 — Newborn Safe Surrender: Passed on third reading (vote announced 32 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent). The bill permits additional sites and allows EMS facilities, police departments and sheriff’s…