Committee approves Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, boosts strangulation penalties and tightens bail in domestic cases

The committee considered the committee substitute for House Bill 5101 (Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act), which raises penalties for domestic strangulation and increases fines and jail terms for repeat domestic battery and assault. Counsel explained the substitute doubles penalties in some circumstances, allows judges to set higher misdemeanor bail when risk is elevated, and incorporates earlier bail‑reform provisions.

Sponsor Delegate Levitt and representatives of the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence testified in support, framing the measure as a prevention tool to reduce domestic‑violence homicides. Joyce Jedlowski, co‑director of the coalition, said the programs that serve survivors support the bill’s approach.

The committee adopted the piecemeal amendments presented by counsel and voted to report HB 5101 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass as amended.

What happens next: The bill will go to the full Senate for floor consideration with the committee’s amendments attached.