Del. Scot Heckert

Maddy summaryHB 2053 amends West Virginia law to include the U.S. Space Force in the legal definition of "armed forces" for retirement benefits purposes. This change directly affects West Virginia public employees who served in the Space Force, allowing them to count their active duty service toward retirement credit under the Public Employees Retirement Act. The bill updates specific code sections (like §5-10-15) to ensure Space Force service qualifies for the same retirement benefits previously available only for traditional military branches. This is a technical definition update, not a new benefit, aligning state policy with the Space Force’s status as a separate military branch since 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 2575 establishes a permanent, full-time position for a Dementia Services Director within the state Department of Health. This position directly affects state agencies responsible for managing dementia care programs and services. The bill requires the Department of Health to appoint this director to coordinate dementia-related services, ensuring consistent oversight and program management across state initiatives. The law, enacted without the Governor's signature on April 12, 2025, formalizes this role to improve the structure of dementia care delivery.

Maddy summaryHB 2066 makes intentionally destroying first responder equipment (such as police vehicles, fire trucks, or emergency medical devices) a criminal offense. It directly affects individuals who damage this equipment, imposing specific penalties including fines and potential jail time. The bill establishes clear legal consequences for willfully damaging gear critical to emergency services, rather than addressing accidental damage. This law became effective on July 30, 2025, as Chapter 76 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 2491) establishes specific requirements for businesses conducting online raffles. It directly affects businesses that operate online raffles, requiring them to meet certain conditions set by the law. The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law by the Governor on April 28, 2025 (Chapter 122, Acts, Regular Session, 2025). However, the provided context does not include the specific conditions or mechanisms of the bill, only its passage and enactment date. Therefore, a detailed summary of its provisions cannot be provided from the available information.

Maddy summaryHB 2164 allows West Virginia public and private K-12 schools to directly hire security personnel without needing separate state approval. The bill updates existing law to remove previous restrictions on school security staffing, streamlining the process for schools to employ officers or guards. This change directly affects all schools seeking to enhance safety measures through on-site security. The law took effect on July 30, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 3209 requires every public and charter school in the state to have at least one school counselor for every 250 students. This law directly affects all public and charter schools by mandating a specific counselor-to-student ratio. The key provision sets a clear standard: schools must maintain a minimum of one counselor per 250 enrolled students, ensuring consistent access to counseling services. The bill became law on July 30, 2025, after approval by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2351 increases compensation rates for attorneys appointed to represent indigent clients in West Virginia criminal, juvenile, and abuse/neglect cases, as well as for guardians ad litem. It requires these attorneys to track time in tenths of an hour and submit detailed vouchers, with Public Defender Services mandated to process payments within 45 business days or reject claims with specific reasons within 30 days. The bill establishes a formal appeals process where disputed payments can be reviewed by the appointing court after initial agency review. It also requires Public Defender Services to annually report on legal services provided by guardians ad litem. These changes directly affect appointed attorneys and the state's public defender system.

Maddy summaryHB 3294 creates legal protections for banks, broker-dealers, and investment advisors who intervene to prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. It directly affects eligible adults (West Virginia residents 65+ or adults with significant mental impairments affecting financial decisions) and financial institutions. The bill allows these institutions to delay, refuse, or block transactions they believe risk financial exploitation, and requires them to report suspected exploitation to state agencies like the Department of Human Services. It provides legal immunity for institutions acting in good faith to protect eligible adults, without creating a duty to override customer instructions.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests the West Virginia Division of Highways to name Summers County's Bradshaw Creek Bridge (located at Latitude 37.54774, Longitude -80.80074, carrying County Route 12 over Bradshaw Creek) the "U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Jimmie M. Hutchison Memorial Bridge." It commemorates Staff Sergeant Jimmie M. Hutchison's WWII service in the European Theater, his 38-year career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and his community leadership in Forest Hill, West Virginia. The resolution directs the Division of Highways to install signs identifying the bridge with this name.

Maddy summaryHCR 28 is a commemorative resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways name a specific road segment as "U.S. Army Private First Class Frank Maddy Memorial Road." The resolution designates the portion of War Ridge Road from its intersection with Ballengee Road in Summers County to its intersection with Little Stoney Creek Road in Monroe County. It honors Private First Class Frank Lee Maddy, a WWII soldier from Monroe County who died in combat in the Philippines in 1945. The resolution asks for signage at both ends of the named road segment to memorialize his service.