Del. Sean Hornbuckle

Maddy summaryHB 3327 modifies West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Program to clarify eligibility requirements for nonpublic schools and education service providers. It requires these entities to submit participation notices, provide expense receipts to parents, pass background checks for staff, and certify against discrimination to accept scholarship funds. The bill explicitly states participating schools and providers are not required to change their curriculum, admission policies, or religious practices to participate. This directly affects nonpublic schools and educational service organizations seeking to offer services to Hope Scholarship students. The changes aim to formalize participation rules while preserving provider autonomy.

Maddy summaryHB 3283 (the "GRAM'S Act") allows residents of West Virginia long-term care facilities, or their legal representatives (guardians or attorneys-in-fact), to install video or audio monitoring devices in their private rooms. The bill requires residents to pay for the device and installation (excluding electricity), obtain consent from other residents sharing the room (or their representatives), and use facility-provided forms for authorization. Facilities must accommodate residents who withdraw consent and may face license violations for noncompliance. This bill directly affects residents in nursing homes, personal care homes, and similar facilities by expanding their ability to monitor their living spaces with consent requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3285 amends West Virginia's PROMISE Scholarship Program to provide full tuition, room, and board coverage for students majoring in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) at state institutions of higher education. Currently, the program caps scholarships at $4,750 per year (or tuition cost, whichever is lower) for most students, but this bill removes that cap specifically for STEM majors. The change applies only to students enrolled in state institutions pursuing qualifying STEM degrees, while maintaining existing eligibility requirements like a 3.0 GPA and citizenship status. The bill does not alter the overall annual funding limit for the scholarship program.

Maddy summaryHB 3284 creates a tax credit against West Virginia personal income tax for residents who graduate from in-state colleges and stay in the state. It allows individuals or their employers to claim credit for student loan payments made while working in West Virginia, with special provisions for STEM degree holders (who get a refundable credit). The credit is calculated based on actual loan payments during the taxable year while employed in the state, and transfers from out-of-state schools qualify for reduced credit amounts. The bill also establishes eligibility rules, defines "qualified individual," and requires the credit to be tied to the financial aid package. It directly affects recent West Virginia college graduates and their employers who pay for qualifying student loans.

Maddy summaryHB 3286 prohibits West Virginia insurers from using a person's credit history to make decisions about specific insurance policies. It directly affects residents applying for or holding passenger vehicle, residential property, or other personal insurance policies. The bill bans insurers from refusing coverage, canceling policies, increasing premiums, setting rates (including discounts or rating tiers), or requiring payment plans based on credit history. This creates a concrete policy change requiring insurers to base decisions solely on other factors, not credit data. The law applies to all insurers operating in West Virginia for these covered insurance lines.

Maddy summaryHB 3282, the "Child Support from Conception Act," would require non-custodial parents to cover medical expenses related to a child's pregnancy and birth as part of child support payments. The bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly include "medical expenses associated with the pregnancy and birth of the child" in the definition of "medical care" for support purposes. This means costs like prenatal visits, hospital delivery, and related medical services would now be included in child support orders. The change applies to all existing and future child support cases in West Virginia where a non-custodial parent is ordered to pay medical support.

Maddy summaryHB 3256 would require county boards of education in West Virginia to provide full-time employees with three months of paid leave following the birth of a child, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. This leave would be in addition to any existing paid leave benefits the employee already receives. The bill amends existing law to explicitly guarantee this supplemental leave for all full-time school employees, regardless of gender. It does not replace other leave policies but adds this specific benefit for family-related events.

Maddy summaryHB 3234 requires West Virginia public high schools participating in organized sports, ROTC, or performing arts to employ a full-time licensed athletic trainer. County school districts must hire one trainer per high school (using their budget, levies, or CARES funds) or contract with a healthcare provider, ensuring consistent medical coverage for all student-athletes. The bill mandates that trainers handle specialized procedures like concussion evaluations, musculoskeletal injury management, and emergency protocols per state athletic policies. This replaces current part-time or ad-hoc arrangements with a standardized, full-time requirement for student athlete safety.

Maddy summaryHB 3235 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover specific breast cancer screenings. It mandates annual mammograms for women aged 40 and older, baseline mammograms for women aged 30-39, and additional screenings (like ultrasounds) for those with dense breast tissue or risk factors like family history. Mammography facilities must also provide patients with breast density information and educational materials about associated risks and screening options. These requirements apply to all insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3254 establishes the Summer Feeding for All Program to ensure West Virginia students have access to nutritious meals during summer and other non-school periods. It requires each county public school system to conduct an annual survey of students' food access when school is closed and compile a list of community food resources (including charities and religious groups) for families. County school boards may develop local initiatives - such as mentorship programs or entrepreneurship opportunities - to deliver meals and must provide training for feeding site operators. They are also required to report survey results and program activities annually to the West Virginia Office of Child Nutrition.