Del. Jonathan Pinson

Maddy summaryHB 2456 establishes the West Virginia Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program under the Bureau for Public Health to provide state funding to pregnancy help organizations (excluding abortion industry organizations). The program funds capital improvements, new services, compliance with licensing standards, and staff training for eligible organizations. Funding is distributed through a fee-per-service model, with specific rates set by the managing agency. This bill directly affects pregnancy help organizations by providing targeted financial support for operational needs.

Maddy summaryHB 3380 requires West Virginia's Bureau for Social Services to formally file the Social Services Manual as an official legislative rule, rather than updating it through internal agency procedures. This applies specifically to the manual's foster care procedures and other social services guidelines, which have been revised outside the standard rulemaking process since 1986. The bill mandates that all future updates to this manual must follow the state's formal legislative rulemaking procedures. This change aims to ensure transparency and accountability in how social services policies are established and modified. The bill does not alter the content of the manual itself, only the process for its official adoption and revision.

Maddy summaryHB 3382 establishes a central reception center to provide short-term shelter (max 72 hours) for foster children disrupted from placements, offering behavioral assessments, case coordination, and medical support. It also creates "emergency resource homes" to provide immediate overnight care, requiring specialized training for caregivers, financial incentives, and prioritized recruitment for adolescents, justice-involved youth, and children with special needs. The bill mandates the Department of Human Services to contract with at least two 24/7 reception centers and expand emergency foster homes statewide, eliminating the current practice of placing children in hotels due to placement shortages. Annual reports on child placements, success rates, and recruitment progress must be submitted to the Legislative Oversight Commission.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 3190 expands West Virginia's public intoxication law to include intoxication from controlled substances, not just alcohol. It defines "intoxicated" to cover impairment from any controlled substance under state law, directly affecting individuals appearing in public while impaired by such substances. The bill establishes misdemeanor penalties for violations, including fines ($5-$100) and optional alcohol/controlled substance education programs for first offenses, with stricter penalties for repeat violations. It also updates provisions for law enforcement arrests and handling of intoxicated individuals in public settings.

Maddy summaryHB 2881 expands West Virginia's State Police Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit by increasing its minimum membership size and adding more regional members to directly assist Child Protective Services offices. It allows honorably retired State Police officers to rejoin the unit under specific conditions, including completing required training (like firearms and criminal law updates) but prohibiting pension accrual, promotions, or rank changes. The unit must maintain statewide statistics on child abuse convictions and submit annual reports to the legislature, tracking case investigations without disclosing individual details. These changes aim to strengthen coordination between law enforcement and child protective services in handling abuse cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2394 requires all West Virginia public schools to implement a wearable panic alert system ("Alyssa's Law") by December 31, 2025. It mandates that each school staff member receive a device capable of instantly contacting emergency services and triggering campus-wide lockdowns through integration with 9-1-1 systems. County school boards must provide the devices, ensure annual staff training on their use, and share security data (like cameras and maps) with local law enforcement. The bill directly affects all school staff in West Virginia public schools and focuses on immediate emergency response capabilities.

Maddy summaryHB 3486 creates a tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It offers a 10% credit (increasing to 25% for projects after December 2017) on qualified rehabilitation costs for buildings designated as "certified historic" by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Park Service. The bill allows phased rehabilitation projects (where work occurs in stages), permitting owners to claim credits for completed phases once certified, provided all phases are finished within 60 months. This credit directly affects owners of qualifying historic properties who meet tax compliance requirements and complete certified rehabilitation work.

Maddy summaryHB 3466 requires West Virginia's Division of Highways to install "blue light" emergency alert stations at all state rest areas and welcome centers by July 1, 2025. Each station must include a help button, camera/video capability, and direct connection to local emergency dispatch. The bill aims to provide immediate assistance for individuals in distress, including potential prevention of human trafficking or domestic violence incidents. This affects travelers using state rest areas and welcome centers, with the Division of Highways responsible for funding and installing the stations.

Maddy summaryHB 3379 clarifies that when a parent voluntarily relinquishes their parental rights, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is not required to make reasonable efforts to preserve the family. This amendment to West Virginia Code §49-4-604 directs courts to consider voluntary relinquishment as a factor when determining whether reasonable efforts toward family reunification are appropriate. The bill affects child welfare cases involving parental relinquishment, ensuring courts can prioritize permanent placements without requiring reunification efforts in these specific circumstances. It does not change existing requirements for reasonable efforts in cases without voluntary relinquishment.