Del. Kathie Hess Crouse

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 2389 would allow West Virginia to join the Dietitian Licensure Compact, enabling licensed dietitians to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each. The bill establishes uniform requirements for licensure, including background checks and education standards, while eliminating the need for multiple state licenses. It directly affects licensed dietitians, particularly those relocating or serving military personnel and spouses, by simplifying cross-state practice. Key provisions include standardized disciplinary procedures, a fee structure for compact privileges, and protections for active-duty military members and their families. The compact aims to improve public access to dietetics services while maintaining state regulatory authority.

Maddy summaryHB 3422 requires West Virginia's State Board of Education to create and implement an online "School Choice Portal" by August 1, 2025. The portal will let families using homeschooling or school choice options (covered under specific law sections) submit required notices and reports electronically instead of paper forms. Key features include secure access, role-based user controls, dashboards for families and school boards, and clear labeling of optional information. The system must be operational for the 2025-2026 school year and designed to serve all 55 counties uniformly.

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 summaryHB 2777 simplifies documentation requirements for home-schooled children in West Virginia by establishing a digital "School Choice Portal" and email option for parents to submit required notices of intent. It replaces previous paper-based submission methods with these electronic alternatives, while still requiring parents to provide details about instruction subjects and annual assessments. The bill directly affects families homeschooling children who qualify for exemption under West Virginia's compulsory attendance laws. The portal must be operational by the 2025-2026 school year and will meet security and accessibility standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2410 (Safeguard the Right-To-Try Cutting-Edge Medicine Act) allows terminally ill or severely debilitated patients in West Virginia to access investigational drugs, biological products, or devices not yet approved by the FDA. It defines eligibility for patients who have exhausted all FDA-approved treatments, cannot participate in nearby clinical trials, and receive physician recommendations. The bill requires detailed written informed consent explaining treatment risks, costs, insurance limitations, and potential liability for expenses. It directly affects patients with qualifying illnesses and their physicians, establishing a legal framework for accessing unapproved treatments while clarifying that insurers and hospice care may not cover such treatments.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways add the phrase "West Virginia - A Purple Heart State" to existing highway welcome signs at the state's entrances. It does not create new laws or affect specific individuals, but symbolically honors veterans who received the Purple Heart medal for combat-related injuries. The resolution expresses the legislature's support for recognizing military service through this commemorative signage.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHCR 52 is a ceremonial resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways name I-64 Nitro Interchange Bridge (Bridge Number 40-064/00-044.47) in Putnam County as the "Ronnie W. Matthews Memorial Bridge." It commemorates Ronnie W. Matthews, a local businessman, Putnam County Circuit Clerk (2008), U.S. Army veteran, and community leader who passed away in 2018. The resolution directs the agency to install signage identifying the bridge with this name. This is a non-binding memorial gesture with no policy or funding changes, solely honoring an individual's contributions to the Nitro community.