Del. Sean Hornbuckle

Maddy summaryHB 3499, named "Raylee's Law," prohibits homeschooling in West Virginia when a custodial parent or the person instructing the child is under investigation for child abuse/neglect or has a prior conviction for child abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. It also allows county boards to deny homeschooling requests if they have probable cause to believe a child would suffer educational neglect. The bill requires parents to submit a notice of intent for homeschooling, including annual academic assessments, and permits county superintendents to seek court orders denying homeschooling in specific cases. This law directly affects families with documented histories of abuse or violence and will be enforced by local education authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 3502 allocates $250 million from West Virginia's Revenue Shortfall Fund ($100 million) and Income Tax Reserve Fund ($150 million) to create the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund. This fund finances flood prevention projects in communities vulnerable to severe flooding, aiming to reduce future damage through proactive infrastructure and planning. The bill requires the State Resiliency Officer to submit annual spending reports for board review, and mandates that 6% of federal flood disaster recovery funds be dedicated to long-term resiliency planning. It directly affects state agencies managing flood response and residents in flood-prone areas by prioritizing prevention over reactive recovery.

Maddy summaryHB 3396 establishes a three-year pilot program in West Virginia schools to provide mental and behavioral health services as an alternative to disciplinary action for students with disruptive behavior. Schools participating must already operate a school-based health center or use the state’s "expanded school mental health framework," then provide assessments, ongoing treatment, and family involvement for students referred by schools or courts. The program requires schools to bill insurance, school funds (for behavioral referrals), or the Department of Health (for court-ordered cases) for services. This directly affects students facing discipline, their families, and participating schools, shifting focus from punishment to mental health support.

Maddy summaryHB 3397, the Safe Play Act, increases fines for individuals convicted of assaulting or battering athletic officials during sports events. The bill specifically targets offenses against referees, umpires, and coaches who are enforcing rules or supervising participants at the time of the incident. It amends West Virginia law to raise penalty ranges for these crimes, though exact new fine amounts are not specified in the provided text. The legislation aims to strengthen consequences for violence against officials responsible for maintaining safety and order in sports.

Maddy summaryHB 3395 requires all health insurance plans in West Virginia (both public and private) to cover screening for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) during routine child wellness visits. It also mandates the State Department of Education to create a school-based screening program for children without health insurance. The bill defines ACEs as traumatic childhood experiences linked to long-term health risks like obesity and heart disease. This policy directly affects insurers, schools, and children under 18 by making ACE screenings a standard part of preventive care. The bill does not require treatment, only screening as part of existing wellness visits.

Maddy summaryHB 3398 creates the Mountaineer Games Sports League (MGSL), a state-run program offering low-cost or free organized sports opportunities specifically for West Virginia adults. The bill establishes a seven-member board appointed by the Governor to manage the league, with objectives including forming partnerships with community organizations, developing facility access agreements, and promoting participation in sports like basketball, baseball/softball, flag football, volleyball, tennis, cycling, golf, soccer, and weightlifting. The league will operate through "affiliates" such as colleges and community organizations, with the board responsible for scheduling competitions and identifying funding sources. It directly affects adult residents seeking accessible, organized sports participation across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain zero-emission vehicle manufacturers to operate as new car dealers in West Virginia, directly affecting companies that exclusively produce electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. To qualify, manufacturers must have made zero-emission vehicles since 2008, never sold through franchised dealers in the state, and have no ownership ties to franchising entities. The key provision removes barriers preventing these manufacturers from selling directly to consumers, bypassing traditional dealership models. It applies only to zero-emission vehicle producers meeting all three criteria, not to conventional automakers.

Maddy summaryHB 3390 would provide a 15% pay raise to non-uniformed employees working within West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill amends §15A-3-7 of the state code to require this specific wage increase for eligible staff, excluding uniformed correctional officers. It directly affects approximately 1,200 non-uniformed workers in the corrections system, including administrative, medical, and support personnel. The bill, introduced on March 17, 2025, is currently pending in the House Judiciary and Finance committees. This is a concrete salary adjustment with no additional requirements or mechanisms beyond the specified percentage increase.

Maddy summaryHB 3392 allows West Virginia's Governor to temporarily borrow up to $50 million from the state's Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund to support the Unemployment Compensation Fund when its balance falls below $50 million. The Governor must first confirm a projected shortfall within 30 days, and borrowed funds can only cover unemployment benefit payments. These loans must be repaid within 180 days without interest from excess funds in the Unemployment Compensation Fund, and no borrowing is permitted after September 1, 2027. The bill directly affects unemployment benefit recipients by ensuring funds remain available during short-term financial strain.

Maddy summaryHB 3393 would establish a temporary license for foreign breweries to import nonintoxicating beer (beer with less than 0.5% alcohol) into West Virginia for sale. Foreign corporations seeking this license would need to pay a $1,500 annual fee, submit corporate documentation, and comply with labeling and transportation requirements. The bill directly affects foreign breweries aiming to sell nonintoxicating beer in West Virginia, providing a temporary authorization pathway. The exact duration of the temporary license is not specified in the provided bill text.