Del. Kathie Hess Crouse

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5592 would allow pharmacists and pharmacies to sell ivermectin to consumers without a prescription, removing current requirements for a doctor's order. This change applies specifically to human use of ivermectin and overrides existing provisions in West Virginia law that currently require a prescription. The bill directly affects pharmacies, pharmacists, and individuals seeking ivermectin for personal use. It does not alter the medical use or safety of ivermectin, only the legal mechanism for its sale.

Maddy summaryHB 5581 (Dawson’s Law) adds infantile GM1 gangliosidosis - a rare genetic disorder affecting infants - to the list of conditions required for newborn screening in West Virginia. The bill mandates hospitals to test all newborns for this condition, alongside existing screenings for diseases like phenylketonuria and cystic fibrosis. These screenings will be covered as a standard benefit by Medicaid, state insurance programs, and private insurers offering pregnancy coverage. The law directly affects all newborns in West Virginia by expanding early detection for this specific condition.

Maddy summaryHB 5577 requires West Virginia county school boards to establish and regularly review anti-bullying policies that include specific components like clear definitions, reporting procedures, and victim protections. It mandates that school boards actively seek input from parents, guardians, and students when updating these policies, and ensures all modifications are transparent to the school community. School boards must also report on policy effectiveness to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability (LOCEA) at LOCEA's discretion. This bill directly affects county school boards, students, and families by standardizing and improving how schools address harassment, intimidation, and bullying.

Maddy summaryHB 5594 requires all American flags sold at retail in West Virginia to be manufactured in the United States. This law directly affects retailers selling American flags within the state, prohibiting the sale of flags made outside U.S. borders. The key provision adds a new section to West Virginia's consumer protection law, mandating that retailers verify and comply with U.S. manufacturing for all American flag products offered for sale. The bill does not apply to flags sold for non-retail purposes or to other flag types.

Maddy summaryHB 4098 amends West Virginia law to restore jury service eligibility for individuals with expunged felony convictions. It specifically updates the disqualification rule (§52-1-8(b)(6)) to clarify that people whose felony convictions have been legally expunged are no longer disqualified from serving on juries, provided they meet other standard requirements like citizenship and residency. This directly affects West Virginians who have completed the expungement process for felony offenses, allowing them to serve on juries without restriction. The change removes a barrier to civic participation for this group while maintaining existing disqualification criteria for unexpunged convictions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6) expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for developing natural gas pipeline infrastructure, specifically an intra-Panhandle pipeline connecting western gas fields to the Eastern Panhandle. It aims to improve access to locally produced natural gas for residents, support industrial and commercial growth, and create jobs across the state. The resolution highlights West Virginia's status as a top natural gas producer and notes that existing pipelines transport most output out of state, while Maryland's opposition to pipeline extensions is cited as a barrier. It does not create new laws or funding but urges responsible infrastructure expansion to boost economic development. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect but signals legislative backing for pipeline projects.

Maddy summaryHB 5495 requires West Virginia public schools to use only software that is "academically effective" and complies with a statewide digital privacy agreement. The bill mandates that all school software must be verified by independent third parties for educational value, aligns with curriculum standards, avoids "addictive design features" (like excessive gamification tied to time spent), and prohibits data collection for non-educational purposes. It directly affects schools (via County Boards of Education), software vendors (who must sign the privacy agreement), and parents (who will receive annual notices about software used). Key mechanisms include creating a master list of approved software, requiring periodic audits for compliance, and establishing a process for parental complaints about software. The bill aims to ensure school technology supports learning while protecting student privacy and data.

Maddy summaryHB 5512 updates West Virginia's land records system to combat fraud and improve property owner protections. It defines "suspicious documents" (e.g., those with mismatched notary details, false claims about laws, or non-compliance with recording standards) and gives county recorders authority to refuse recording them, report to law enforcement, or notify the involved notary. The bill requires recorders to establish a free property alert system by January 1, 2027, allowing owners to receive notifications about documents affecting their property via mail, text, or email. It also protects recorders from monetary liability when correctly refusing to record suspicious documents and mandates educational materials for notaries on deed fraud prevention.

Maddy summaryHB 5460, the Construction Cost Relief Act, provides a sales tax rebate for construction materials used in new single-family homes built for residential ownership in West Virginia. The rebate covers up to 30% of the home's sale price (or construction loan amount if the builder occupies the home), calculated using a county-specific housing index relative to the state average. Homeowners and builders must claim the refund within one year of construction completion using state forms, and the refund cannot be transferred to another party. This law applies only to new construction starting on or after July 1, 2026.