Morrisey Ceremonially Signs Three Pro Life Bills

Gov. Patrick Morrisey highlighted three bills passed during this year’s regular legislative session at a ceremony at CrossPoint Church in Beckley Thursday morning.

The bills range from expanded financial support for pregnancy centers, to increasing criminal penalties for child abuse and adding the loss of a child in the womb as a death to the definition of vehicular homicide. 

Morrisey said the bills were geared to protect and support children and strengthened the state’s commitment to defending the sanctity of life, which he sees as his duty as an elected official.

“I think God knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb. And as governor, I’m going to make sure I do everything to make sure that we never forget that,” he said. “But of course, it’s not just life in the womb. It’s life at all stages, but especially kids. And as you all know, West Virginia does have some strong laws protecting life. They’re under attack, but we’re going to keep defending them.”

Senate Bill 537 provides greater flexibility for pregnancy help organizations to receive funding for costs via the WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program.

“It’s a pretty cool program,” Morrisey said. “It expands the use of the state funds for pregnancy help organizations, which now can cover some new expenditures for some new land or buildings, for some additional services for the young moms in need, to help some of the providers meet licensing and accreditation and to engage in staff training.”

The governor also praised lawmakers, many of whom were present for the bill signing, for allocating $3 million to the support program in the 2026 budget.

House Bill 2123 modifies the criminal penalties imposed on a parent, guardian or custodian for child abuse.

“Once again, we have to protect our most precious among us, and if you harm a child as a parent or guardian, you’re going to pay a heavy price,” Morrisey said.

The bill increases jail time for abuse of a child that causes bodily injury, or creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, from one to five years to two to 10 years. For abuse causing serious bodily injury, penalties are increased from two to 10 years to five to 15 years.

House Bill 2871 considers the loss of a child in the womb as a death for the purposes of prosecution for vehicular manslaughter. 

“That’s just common sense. A life in the womb is still a life, and our laws have to reflect that fact, and they are,” Morrisey said. “I once again, really praise the work that you’re doing to keep your eye on the prize. And while we’re making a lot of the tough decisions that we have, we talk about budget, we talk about PEIA and our school systems and driving educational attainment up, let’s never forget the importance of protecting precious life, that’s critical.”

The bill signing follows the governor’s announcement Wednesday of changes to the state foster care system to better protect and serve children in state custody.

Thursday’s event was ceremonial, as Morrisey had until April 30 to veto bills or sign them into law. After that date, any remaining bills passed by the state legislature automatically became law.