Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images
Summary
West Virginia Governor signed HB4842 into law, clarifying and strengthening civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images. The bill, which passed unanimously in both chambers (House 96-0, Senate 34-0), provides victims with a clearer civil cause of action including statutory damages and attorney's fees. This is the first significant update to these remedies since their initial enactment.
What changed
HB4842 modifies West Virginia's civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, providing a clearer cause of action for victims seeking relief. The bill clarifies the elements of the claim, available damages, and procedural aspects of litigation.
Affected parties including social media platforms, employers, educational institutions, and other organizations where intimate images may be shared non-consensually should review their policies and prevention measures. Victims gain clearer legal recourse with statutory damages and attorney's fees provisions.
What to do next
- Review organizational policies on intimate image disclosure and non-consensual sharing
- Update harassment and workplace conduct policies to address intimate image privacy
- Consult legal counsel regarding potential liability exposure under the new remedies
Penalties
Statutory damages and attorney's fees available to victims under the civil cause of action; specific amounts to be determined by courts
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / West Virginia / HB4842 Signed by Governor HB4842 House Bill Signed by Governor 2026-03-14
Relating to civil remedies for the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images.
The purpose of this bill is to clarify the civil cause of action for disclosure of intimate images.
Bill Details
State West Virginia
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Official Source www.wvlegislature.gov/BillStatus/Billshi...
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Sponsors
James Akers (Rep - R) Joe Funkhouser (Rep - R) Andy Shamblin (Rep - R) Dana Ferrell (Rep - R) Bill Flanigan (Rep - R) Laura Kimble (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-04-01 H Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 2026-03-14 H Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal 2026-03-14 S Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal 2026-03-14 S To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal 2026-03-25 H To Governor 3/25/2026 2026-03-14 S House Message received 2026-03-14 H Completed legislative action 2026-03-14 H Communicated to Senate 2026-03-14 H House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 674) 2026-03-14 H House received Senate message 2026-03-12 S Senate requests House to concur 2026-03-12 S Passed Senate (Roll No. 494) 2026-03-12 S Read 3rd time 2026-03-12 S On 3rd reading 2026-03-11 S Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote) 2026-03-11 S Read 2nd time 2026-03-11 S On 2nd reading 2026-03-10 S Read 1st time 2026-03-10 S Immediate consideration 2026-03-10 S Reported do pass, with amendment 2026-02-25 S To Judiciary 2026-02-25 S To Judiciary 2026-02-25 S Introduced in Senate 2026-02-24 H Communicated to Senate 2026-02-24 H Passed House (Roll No. 174) 2026-02-24 H Read 3rd time 2026-02-24 H On 3rd reading, Special Calendar 2026-02-23 H Read 2nd time 2026-02-23 H On 2nd reading, Special Calendar 2026-02-20 H Read 1st time 2026-02-20 H On 1st reading, Special Calendar 2026-02-19 H Do pass 2026-02-17 H Markup Discussion 2026-02-16 H To House Judiciary 2026-02-13 H Markup Discussion 2026-02-13 H To House Legal Services 2026-01-27 H To House Judiciary 2026-01-27 H Introduced in House 2026-01-27 H To Judiciary 2026-01-27 H Filed for introduction
Votes
2026-02-24 Passed House (Roll No. 174) Yea: 96 Nay: 0 2026-03-12 Passed Senate (Roll No. 494) Yea: 34 Nay: 0 2026-03-14 House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 674) Yea: 96 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-27 H Judiciary 2026-02-13 H Legal Services 2026-02-16 H Judiciary 2026-02-25 S Judiciary
Amendments
2026-03-09 hb4842 s jud am _1 3-9 2026-03-09 hb4842 s jud am _1 3-9 adopted Adopted
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced 0000-00-00 Engrossed 0000-00-00 Enrolled
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