CHARLESTON, W.Va.
Consent could not be a defense under legislation addressing sexual contact with inmates by guards or other staff.



The House of Delegates unanimously voted Thursday to treat such sexual contact as a felony.

The bill would apply to Division of Corrections and regional or local jail staff as well as contractors. It would also extend to people under supervision, and so would apply to parole and probation officers.

Those convicted would face a one- to five-year prison term.

The Senate passed the bill Monday. The House amended language exempting such security-related tasks as pat-down and strip searches. Senators must approve that change before the bill can go to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

The bill is one of several from the Legislature's monthly interim study of prison-related issues.

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