After Joanna Phillips’ Murder, West Virginia Enacts Stronger Domestic Violence Protections

CHARLESTON, W.Va. —Representatives from the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence joined lawmakers, advocates, survivors, and state leaders Wednesday at the State Capitol for the ceremonial signing of the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, landmark legislation intended to strengthen protections for victims and increase accountability for abusers in West Virginia.

Named in honor of Joanna Phillips, the legislation was developed to help enable stronger responses to intimate partner violence in the state. Joanna Phillips was a 46-year-old woman from Sissonville in Kanawha County whose murder in December 2025 became the catalyst for the law.

Her husband Jason Phillips shot and killed her in her home on December 20, 2025, while he was out of jail on bond. Court records show multiple prior domestic violence offenses and criminal charges before he eventually murdered her.

Governor Morrissey sits at a desk, people are gathered for the bill signing

WVCADV representatives Lissa Lucas and Joyce Yedlosky smile in the gallery

Governor Morrissey shakes hands with a Brittney Leavitt, two other stand by

Governor Morrissey embraces the mother of Joanna Phillips

Governor Morrissey sits at a desk signing the bill, people are gathered watching

Governor Morrissey stands behind a desk holding up the signed bill, people stand behind him

The new law named for her clarifies and modernizes domestic violence statutes. The bill places particular emphasis strangulation offenses–a significant indicator of future lethality.

Governor Patrick Morrisey signed the legislation during a ceremony at the capitol, attended by domestic violence advocates, prosecutors, the family of Joanna Phillips, and lawmakers who worked on the bill throughout the legislative session, including lead sponsor, Kanawha County Delegate Tristan Leavitt.

“This legislation reflects the efforts of survivors and advocates calling attention to gaps that exist in legal protections,” said Joyce Yedlosky, co-executive director of WVCADV, “and what good work can do to close those gaps and increase survival. No single law can end domestic violence, but better-informed system responses save lives. We’re grateful to everyone who worked to move this bill forward, and to the families who shared their experiences of grief in the hopes of preventing that for other families.”

The legislation originally included a provision directing fees assessed against convicted abusers to licensed domestic violence programs to help fund victim services across the state. During the legislative process, that part was removed; an administrative mechanism to collect and distribute the funds wasn’t devised quickly enough.

However, Governor Morrissey indicated his support for the fee provision this year, and a mechanism is ready so WVCADV and partner organizations can work with lawmakers to pursue it as a separate bill during the next legislative session. It will support survivor services through offender-based fees.

Advocates say the funding issue remains urgent as domestic violence programs across West Virginia respond to high demand for emergency shelter, legal advocacy, crisis intervention, prevention education, and long-term support services for survivors and their children.

The Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act is scheduled to take effect June 12, 2026.