Del. Jim Butler

Maddy summaryHB 3437 requires parents or guardians to provide specific, written consent before newborn genetic screening occurs, replacing general hospital admission forms. It limits blood sample collection to only what's necessary for screening and mandates destruction of blood spots after three weeks unless separate consent is obtained for retention. The bill also requires explicit parental consent for any future use of blood samples or test results - including research, law enforcement, or public health studies - preventing automatic retention or sharing. This applies directly to all newborns in West Virginia and ensures parents control how their child's genetic information is handled.

Maddy summaryHB 3385 requires medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs in West Virginia to establish written policies for community engagement and location planning. The bill prohibits new MAT programs from locating within 0.5 miles of schools or daycares (with limited variances for existing programs), bans recruitment incentives like rewards for patient referrals, and mandates 60-day public notice before new locations. Programs must notify county commissions and mayors via certified mail, detailing their community impact plans, and obtain local approval before operating. These requirements apply to all MAT facilities, including opioid treatment programs and office-based providers, with a waiver process requiring written justification and safety documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 3384 prohibits West Virginia public and private colleges and universities from requiring vaccines as a condition for enrollment, employment, or participation in campus activities. It bans institutions from offering incentives (like rewards or discounts) for vaccinations and allows free vaccines only with informed consent. The bill ensures students, faculty, and staff cannot be denied access to education or jobs based solely on vaccination choices. Institutions may still offer free vaccines on campus, but cannot mandate them or deny services for opting out.

Maddy summaryHB 3328 requires hospitals and healthcare facilities to provide effective communication tools for deaf or hard-of-hearing patients and their families when ASL interpreters aren't available on staff. Specifically, facilities must offer technology like hearing loops, captioning services, or video relay systems to enable communication. The bill also mandates that any ASL interpreters used must be approved by the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This applies to all hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and extended care centers under West Virginia law, aligning with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Maddy summaryHB 3301 would amend West Virginia law to prohibit any requirement that a person receive or use a medical product, such as vaccines or treatments. It also bans penalties or denial of benefits for refusing a medical product or for declining to disclose whether one has been used. The bill would override existing health regulations to ensure individuals cannot be forced to use medical products or face legal consequences for refusing them. This applies broadly to all medical products and all state laws, effectively blocking mandatory use in public health contexts.

Maddy summaryHB 3299 prohibits West Virginia state and local government agencies from purchasing or operating drones (small unmanned aircraft systems) manufactured or assembled by foreign entities linked to China or Russia, as defined by U.S. sanctions lists. It requires agencies to replace non-compliant drones by May 1, 2028, and creates a grant program within the Department of Homeland Security to fund the transition to U.S.-made drones. The grant provides reimbursement based on a drone’s current value for agencies turning in non-compliant equipment, with priority for agencies submitting complete applications. Agencies must use funds only for drones meeting U.S. certification standards, such as Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue sUAS or AUVSI Green UAS. The bill directly affects all public safety and government drone users across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 3300 requires medical professionals to ask patients in advance before appointments or procedures whether they consent to being treated by a medical resident (trainee) or having a resident observe. If a patient declines, a licensed physician must provide care instead, but this does not apply in emergencies. The bill directly affects patients receiving routine care in non-emergency settings and aims to ensure patient comfort and trust in their care team. It mandates that facilities obtain this consent prior to treatment, with no impact on emergency care. The law creates a concrete policy change by making advance consent for resident treatment mandatory.

Maddy summaryHB 3298 prohibits West Virginia colleges and universities from requiring students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or a booster shot to enroll in or attend in-person classes. This law directly affects students at these institutions by removing vaccination as a mandatory condition for in-person education. The key provision adds a new section to state law (§18B-14-12) that bans such requirements, making it illegal for any college or university in West Virginia to impose them. The bill does not change other health policies or apply to remote learning options.

Maddy summaryHB 3291 (West Virginia House Bill 3291) increases penalties for employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. It directly affects businesses and organizations in West Virginia that employ unauthorized workers, imposing escalating fines: $1,000-$10,000 for a first offense, $5,000-$20,000 for a second, and $10,000-$30,000 plus up to one year in jail for third or subsequent offenses. The bill also penalizes employers who provide false work status records or transfer assets to evade these requirements, with fines of $1,000-$5,000 or up to one year in jail. These provisions amend existing West Virginia law (§21-1B-5) to strengthen enforcement against unauthorized employment.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's House Concurrent Resolution 84 is a symbolic statement opposing China's misuse of UN Resolution 2758 to exclude Taiwan from international organizations. It clarifies that UNGA Resolution 2758 only addresses which government represents "China" in the UN and never intended to settle Taiwan's political status. The resolution urges the UN to stop using the resolution to deny Taiwan participation in UN bodies and reaffirms that the U.S. "one China policy" does not recognize China's claim over Taiwan. It emphasizes that UNGA Resolution 2758 does not prevent Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations like the WHO or ICAO. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal force but expresses legislative position on diplomatic matters.