Del. Jim Butler

Maddy summaryHB 2349 requires opioid treatment programs licensed under West Virginia law to offer long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as IUDs or implants, to patients receiving methadone or suboxone treatment. This applies directly to patients in medication-assisted treatment programs and the facilities operating those programs. The bill amends licensing rules (§16B-13-3 and §16B-13-5) to mandate that facilities provide information about and access to LARC options as part of their standard services. It does not specify which contraception methods must be offered, only that facilities must make LARC available to eligible patients.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates November 7th annually as "Pastor Appreciation Day" in West Virginia. It honors clergy members for their community service, spiritual leadership, and roles in life events like weddings, funerals, and disaster response. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves solely as ceremonial recognition. It affects no specific individuals or policies, as it is a non-binding declaration of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHB 2645 requires the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings in every county along the West Virginia Turnpike before increasing tolls, rents, fees, or charges. The bill mandates at least 14 days' public notice for these hearings, where residents can speak about proposed increases. The Authority must also justify each increase by showing it addresses operational or maintenance needs tied to specific projects and bond obligations. This procedural bill directly affects the Parkways Authority and Turnpike users, ensuring transparency before any fee adjustments.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 9 is a commemorative resolution naming Dry Branch Bridge (located at CR 079/03 over Cabin Creek in Dry Branch, Kanawha County) as the "Robert S. Pomeroy Memorial Bridge." It directly affects the bridge's official designation and requires the Division of Highways to install signage identifying it by this name. The resolution honors Robert S. Pomeroy, a West Virginia National Guard soldier who died in WWI and was buried in France before being repatriated to his hometown. This is a procedural naming resolution with no policy changes or funding impacts, solely commemorating a local veteran.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways name a specific segment of Route 20 in Webster County (from the Upshur/Webster County line to Mount Zion Road) as the "U.S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke Memorial Road." It commemorates Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke, a WWII and Korean War veteran with multiple military awards, who was born in Upshur County and raised in Cleveland, Webster County. The resolution asks the Division of Highways to install signs identifying this road segment and directs the House Clerk to forward the resolution to the agency. This is a commemorative measure with no funding or policy changes, directly affecting the named road segment in Webster County.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 85) requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a specific bridge in Mingo County - the Wharncliffe Box Beam bridge (coordinates 37.55534, -81.96599) carrying CR 010/01 over Bens Creek - as the "U.S. Army CPL Lavern 'Mousey' Testerman Memorial Bridge." It commemorates CPL Testerman, a WWII veteran who received a Bronze Star for saving his platoon, served in the Philippines, and later worked in the coal industry in the area. The resolution is purely commemorative, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond naming the bridge and installing signage.

Maddy summaryHB 2894 amends West Virginia's human trafficking laws by adding a definition for "illegal alien" (an individual without legal U.S. immigration status) and specifying that such individuals are not eligible for restitution in trafficking cases. The bill updates definitions in sections covering coercion, forced labor, and trafficking to explicitly include "illegal alien" as a term. It does not create new trafficking prohibitions but clarifies that victims without legal status cannot receive restitution payments under the law. This affects individuals without legal immigration status who may be victims of trafficking in West Virginia. The bill focuses solely on definitional changes and restitution eligibility, not on enforcement or new criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 3438, titled the "Connor Drennan Substitute Teachers' Act," allows retired teachers with specialties in math, science, STEM fields, English, or foreign languages to work as long-term substitutes for up to 180 days per academic year without losing retirement benefits. It directly affects retired educators in these high-need subject areas who fill substitute roles, preventing disruptions to student learning when substitutes must leave due to prior retirement pay restrictions. The bill amends retirement rules to set a clear 180-day limit for such substitute work (up from 140 days) and clarifies that employers won’t make additional retirement contributions during this period. Retired teachers may choose to contribute to their retirement from substitute earnings, but it’s not required. This change aims to stabilize classrooms by retaining qualified retired teachers in critical subject areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2646 allows eighth and ninth-grade students in West Virginia to attend summer school specifically to improve their grades and meet academic eligibility requirements for fall sports. The bill amends existing law to explicitly permit this use of summer school programs, which previously focused on general remedial or accelerated instruction. Key provisions ensure counties can operate these programs with tuition limited to actual costs, offer reduced fees for financially needy students, and maintain existing teacher pay structures. This change directly affects middle and high school athletes seeking to qualify for sports participation under current academic standards.