Del. Jonathan Pinson

Maddy summaryHB 2803 requires first responders at motor vehicle crashes involving hazardous material releases to notify the state's environmental agency (DEP) through the public safety answering point, triggering the deployment of a DEP-approved cleanup company. The bill mandates that the DEP ensure timely containment, cleanup, and reclamation of hazardous materials at crash sites. It directly affects crash scenes where environmental hazards occur, such as fuel spills from vehicles. The law creates a clear process for environmental response without altering liability or funding sources. The bill is currently pending in the House Energy and Public Works Committee after introduction on February 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2733, the Women’s Right to Know Act, requires healthcare providers to give patients specific information about abortion procedures - including printed materials and access to a state-run website - before performing an abortion in West Virginia. The bill defines "medical emergency" narrowly (excluding psychological conditions) and mandates that providers follow informed consent procedures even in emergencies when medically feasible. It also requires licensed medical professionals to report abortion procedures to the state. This bill directly affects patients seeking abortions and the healthcare providers who perform them in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 2070 proposes to establish a "Parents' Bill of Rights" in West Virginia law, directly affecting parents of minor children in public schools and healthcare settings. The bill codifies specific parental rights, including directing education and care, accessing school records, making health decisions, and choosing educational options like private or home schooling. It requires state entities to demonstrate a compelling reason and narrow tailoring before infringing these rights, and grants parents the right to sue for violations seeking remedies like injunctions or damages. The bill applies to all state and local laws affecting parental rights, unless explicitly exempted.

Maddy summaryHB 2376 would prevent West Virginia's Department of Human Services from requiring foster children to receive vaccinations as a condition of foster care placement. This applies specifically to foster parents who object to immunizations based on religious or moral beliefs. The bill would amend state law to prohibit the department from mandating vaccinations for children in foster care under these circumstances. It does not affect general vaccination requirements for children outside foster care arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 2033 prohibits the West Virginia Department of Human Services from requiring foster or adoptive parents to affirm, accept, or support government policies on sexual orientation or gender identity that conflict with their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs. The bill directly affects prospective and current foster/adoptive parents by preventing the department from denying eligibility or authorizations based on such beliefs. Key provisions include banning per se restrictions on placements due to religious views and requiring that religious beliefs not automatically be deemed contrary to a child's best interests. The bill does not prevent the department from considering a child's or family's religious beliefs when making placement decisions, as required by existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 2658 would require county commissions to oversee all fire departments within their county when a county fire board does not exist and the departments are not already managed by a city government. The bill amends West Virginia Code sections 7-1-3d and 7-1-3 to clarify that county commissions assume administrative responsibility for these fire departments. This change aims to create consistent oversight for fire services in counties without a dedicated fire board, replacing fragmented management. The bill does not alter funding, create new departments, or affect fire departments already under municipal control.

Maddy summaryHB 2606 would increase payments to therapists and other non-state-employed professionals contracted to provide early intervention services through West Virginia's Birth-to-Three program by 25 percent. This applies to providers delivering services for children with developmental delays, effective July 1, 2025. The bill amends existing law to require this payment adjustment for all contracted services under the program. The change directly affects contracted service providers in the Birth-to-Three program, improving their compensation for delivering early intervention care.

Maddy summaryHB 2596 would exempt income earned by West Virginia law-enforcement officers and officials from state income tax. The bill creates a new tax deduction that subtracts this employment income from federal adjusted gross income for state tax calculations, effectively removing it from taxable income. This exemption applies only to income already included in federal adjusted gross income and takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. The bill uses existing definitions from §30-29-1 to determine who qualifies as a law-enforcement officer or official.

Maddy summaryHB 2556 extends qualified immunity to employees of private child welfare agencies or providers in West Virginia who perform official duties under state contracts. It protects these employees from personal liability for professional decisions made in the course of their work, but does not shield them from liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional harm. The bill directly affects private agency staff who deliver child welfare services under state contracts, altering their legal exposure. This change modifies existing law to clarify that such employees cannot be sued personally for routine professional actions, while maintaining accountability for serious misconduct.

Maddy summaryHB 2085 amends West Virginia's Deputy Sheriff Retirement System Act to adjust contribution rates for counties and establish a new annual annuity adjustment. It sets a maximum 13% annual contribution rate for county commissions (effective July 2025) and requires the retirement board to set rates based on actuarial calculations. The bill also creates a new provision for a 1% annual annuity increase for eligible retired deputy sheriffs (60+ years old) and surviving spouses, triggered when the retirement fund's funding ratio allows it. These changes directly affect current and future deputy sheriff retirees, their surviving spouses, and county employers responsible for retirement contributions.