Del. Sean Hornbuckle

Maddy summaryHB 3226 updates West Virginia's laws governing living anatomical gifts (donating body parts before death for transplantation or therapy). It clarifies who can make such gifts (adults 18+), establishes requirements for valid consent, and defines key terms like "living anatomical gift" and "document of gift" (including markings on driver's licenses or donor registries). The bill specifies that authorized agents (e.g., those named in medical power of attorney) or designated "authorized persons" can make gifts on behalf of donors, with strict consent procedures. It also defines terms like "donor registry" and "disinterested witness" to ensure clear documentation and prevent conflicts of interest in the donation process.

Maddy summaryHB 3258 requires West Virginia correctional facilities to assist both juvenile and adult offenders in obtaining essential identification documents - including Social Security numbers, birth certificates, and driver's licenses - from their first day in custody. The bill amends §15A-3-4 of the state code to mandate this support as part of reintegration efforts. It directly affects all inmates entering state correctional facilities by requiring facilities to proactively help secure these documents before release. The key provision is a system-wide mandate for facilities to provide this assistance, rather than relying on individuals to navigate the process independently.

Maddy summaryHB 3224, the State Living Donor Protection Act, prohibits insurers in West Virginia from denying or limiting coverage on life insurance, major medical, disability, or long-term care policies solely because a person is a living organ donor. The bill specifically bans insurers from refusing coverage, making organ donation a condition for maintaining coverage, or discriminating in pricing or terms based on donor status alone. It amends West Virginia Code §33-13-25 to add these protections, requiring insurers to treat living donors the same as other policyholders without additional risk-based premiums. This bill directly affects individuals considering or who have already donated organs, ensuring they cannot face insurance discrimination for that decision. The bill was introduced in the House on March 7, 2025, and referred to the Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 3255 would authorize West Virginia counties to establish public daycares through a voter-approved process. Counties needing to fund daycares would require a petition signed by at least 10% of registered voters to trigger a countywide referendum on creating and funding the facility. If approved, counties could fund daycares through local taxes, fees, or levies, or choose to operate without new funding. The bill also allows adjacent counties to jointly create shared daycare services. This legislation directly affects county residents, particularly parents seeking affordable childcare, by providing a structured process for local governments to develop these services.

Maddy summaryHB 3222 requires doctors who issue medical cannabis certifications to maintain a physical office within West Virginia. This bill amends existing law to add a new eligibility requirement for physicians in the state's medical cannabis registry. Specifically, it mandates that doctors must have a physical office location in West Virginia to qualify for the registry, which previously did not require this. The change directly affects physicians seeking to certify patients for medical cannabis use under West Virginia's program.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises West Virginia's minimum starting salary for public school teachers from $36,597 to $50,000, directly affecting all new teachers entering the state's public school system. It amends the state salary schedule (§18A-4-2) to set $50,000 as the base rate for teachers with zero years of experience, replacing the current minimum. The change applies to all public school districts beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, as specified in the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 3257, the "Police Partnering With Communities Act," establishes a fund within the West Virginia State Treasurer's office to reimburse police officers for full housing costs if they live in designated distressed areas. Distressed areas are defined as low-income West Virginia neighborhoods with poverty rates of at least 20% or median family income below 80% of the area median, particularly those with higher crime rates. Officers must provide proof of residence in a distressed area and employment with a local police department to qualify for reimbursement. The fund, to be funded through a separate appropriations bill, becomes effective July 1, 2025. This policy directly affects police officers in participating municipalities who choose to reside in targeted communities.

Maddy summaryHB 3225 creates a statewide initiative to attract minorities, males, and individuals from rural, isolated, or impoverished areas to become public school teachers in West Virginia. It requires the State Board of Education and county school boards to develop recruitment materials and promote teacher preparation programs for these underrepresented groups, including information about a new scholarship fund. The scholarship, funded through existing education budgets, provides financial support to qualifying students in exchange for a commitment to teach in West Virginia public schools for at least three years after graduation. This bill directly affects potential educators in targeted demographic groups and aims to address teacher shortages by increasing diversity and accessibility in the education workforce.

Maddy summaryHB 3112, titled "Community Air Monitoring," requires the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to support air quality monitoring in communities downwind of industrial pollution sources. The bill mandates that the DEP provide technical assistance and, if funding is available, financial support to residents and organizations setting up local air quality monitors. Individuals can submit their collected air quality data to the DEP for evaluation, using specific quality standards like proper equipment calibration and location documentation. The DEP must review this data and may initiate follow-up monitoring by state agencies or permitted facilities if concerns arise. This directly affects West Virginians living near industrial sites by giving them tools to track pollution in their neighborhoods.

Maddy summaryHJR 33 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would require West Virginia to provide free early childhood education to all children in the state. It seeks to amend Article XII of the West Virginia Constitution by adding a new section stating the legislature must provide "a thorough and efficient system of free schools including early childhood education." This would not immediately create new programs but would require future legislation to establish such a system, subject to voter approval in the 2026 general election. The amendment is currently pending referral to the House Education Committee.