Disarming W.Va. Correctional Officer Would Be Felony
CHARLESTON -- A union representing West Virginia's correctional officers scored a victory Tuesday in the state Senate, with approval of legislation making it a felony to disarm one of them.
On a 32-0 vote, the Senate approved the measure recommended after an interim study by the Oversight Committee on Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority.
Under its provisions, anyone who tries to disarm an officer, or succeeds in so doing, is guilty of a felony, punishable by a prison term of one to five years.
Senate Finance Chairman Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, said the proposed law "treats correctional officers as other law enforcement, such as probation officers and parole officers."
On "Corrections Day" at the Legislature, Elaine Harris, international representative of the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, which represents the officers, said the bill is an outgrowth of an incident involving an attack on an officer in Mercer County.
Another measure given the nod by the interim panel allows the Division of Corrections to offset operational costs with excess funds from its prison industries account.
Prezioso said the bill raises the existing cap of $1.5 million to $2 million.
Another measure approved on a 32-0 tally would provide salary equity supplement payments to teachers and school service personnel.
"This just clarifies and puts into code what we've been doing in practice many years," Education Chairman Robert Plymale, D-Wayne, said in a floor explanation.
Eleven years ago, he noted, the legislative auditor's office recommended the Department of Education ask the Legislature to include the supplement state equity salary table and corresponding calculation in code.
"This bill does place it in code," he said.
"And it's no additional money that will be needed because it's already in the budget."
Among bills moved up for a vote today are the equine rescue facilities act and one to make it a criminal offense to intentionally deface public and private property.
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Copyright 2012 - The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va.