Del. Sarah Drennan

Maddy summaryHR 5 is a non-binding resolution designating October as "Military Toxic Exposure Awareness Month" in West Virginia. It recognizes the health impacts of toxic exposures on military personnel, veterans (including Agent Orange veterans), workers, and their families, particularly those linked to West Virginia military sites. The resolution encourages public awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and community outreach to support affected individuals, directing copies to state agencies and congressional leaders. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise visibility for ongoing health and environmental concerns.

Maddy summaryHB 2476 would increase all West Virginia state teacher salaries by 25% across every salary scale, effective for the 2024-2025 school year and continuing annually. This bill directly affects all public school teachers in the state, raising base pay rates shown in the State Minimum Salary Schedule table. The legislation amends existing law to implement this across-the-board increase, replacing current salary figures with new rates calculated at 125% of the existing amounts. It also maintains existing provisions for special education and math teachers (adding three years of experience for salary purposes) and the $600 annual payment for teachers with 20+ years of experience.

Maddy summaryHB 2404 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that donate to local pregnancy or birth centers. Businesses can claim a credit equal to their donation amount (nonrefundable), provided they submit proof of the contribution to the Tax Commissioner. The credit directly affects businesses operating in West Virginia that choose to support these specific health centers. The bill requires no new state funding, as it offsets existing tax revenue based on private donations. This policy change aims to incentivize private financial support for facilities offering pregnancy-related services.

Maddy summaryHB 2474 would increase the minimum monthly pay for all West Virginia state school service personnel by 25% across every salary grade. This affects non-teaching school support staff, including aides, custodians, cafeteria workers, and other classified roles listed in the bill's pay scale schedule. The bill amends existing law to set new minimum pay rates effective July 1, 2024, applying the 25% increase uniformly to all existing pay grades (A-H) and experience levels. The change directly affects thousands of state school support workers by raising their baseline compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 2403 prohibits the use of hormone blockers for transgender minors under 18 in West Virginia. The bill amends existing law to remove all exceptions that previously allowed hormone blockers (referred to as "pubertal modulating and hormonal therapy") for minors with severe gender dysphoria, even under strict medical oversight. It explicitly states that "hormonal therapy, otherwise known as 'hormone blockers,' may not be provided in any circumstance" for minors. This directly affects transgender youth seeking medically supervised care for gender dysphoria, eliminating a previously permitted treatment pathway. The change takes effect January 1, 2024, as noted in the bill's current provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2435 repeals a West Virginia law (§55-2-1) that set a time limit for lawsuits involving entry onto or recovery of land. This change removes a specific statute of limitations, meaning property owners or others involved in land disputes would no longer face a fixed deadline to file such legal actions. The bill directly affects individuals or entities pursuing or defending claims related to land ownership or access. As a repeal bill, it eliminates an existing legal restriction without adding new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2367 creates a web-based communication system for West Virginia's foster care system, requiring the Department of Health and Human Resources to implement it by July 1, 2026. The system will let foster and kinship parents access records, communicate with caseworkers, view visitation schedules, and receive health information - while ensuring only authorized parties can use it. It also establishes a "Foster and Kinship Parent Bill of Rights" listing specific rights, including the right to receive training, maintain family values (without harming the child), and be notified of child-related risks before placement. The bill directly affects foster parents, kinship caregivers, and child welfare staff by improving transparency and decision-making in foster care.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 2371) amends West Virginia Code §8-15-8b to increase the annual allowance for volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments from $500 to $5,000 specifically for educational/training supplies and fire prevention promotional materials. It directly affects all eligible fire companies and departments receiving state funds through the Municipal Pensions and Protection Fund or Fire Protection Fund. The key change raises the spending cap for these specific items while maintaining all other authorized expenditures under the existing section. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to provide greater funding flexibility for fire department training and public safety outreach.

Maddy summaryHB 2366 would create a mandatory registry for individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses in West Virginia, requiring them to register with local State Police. It applies to those convicted of offenses like domestic battery (§61-2-28), domestic assault, or strangulation against an intimate partner (defined as a spouse, co-parent, or current/former romantic partner). Registrants must provide full names, addresses, and aliases in person at their county’s State Police office. The bill states its purpose is to help law enforcement and the public access information for safety, not to impose additional punishment, and covers both past and future convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2127, titled the "West Virginia Women's Bill of Rights," defines "sex" in state law as biological sex (male or female) at birth, excluding gender identity, and requires replacing the word "gender" with "sex" in all state statutes. The bill permits state entities to maintain single-sex environments - such as sports teams, locker rooms, shelters, and domestic violence services - without violating anti-discrimination laws, citing biological differences as justification. It also mandates that state agencies collecting data on sex (for public health, crime, or other purposes) must classify individuals as male or female based on these definitions, ensuring consistency in data collection. The bill applies to all state laws, regulations, and public institutions that classify people by sex or collect sex-related data.