Legislation that would have barred magistrates from releasing defendants charged with a felony on a personal recognizance bond, which allows a defendant to be released from jail without posting bail, failed to pass the West Virginia Legislature on the final day of the state s 2024 regular legislative session. House Bill 5257 s ban on personal recognizance bond for felony charges was added to the bill by Sen. Jason Barrett, whose wife, Summer Barrett, is a registered lobbyist for the bail bond industry that was expected to benefit from the proposed ban.