Del. Margitta Mazzocchi

Maddy summaryHB 4664 increases compensation rates for panel attorneys who represent eligible clients in public defense cases in West Virginia. It directly affects these attorneys and the Public Defender Services agency that processes their payments. Key provisions require Public Defender Services to annually report to oversight bodies on legal services provided by panel attorneys, while also clarifying voucher submission, review, and dispute resolution processes for compensation claims. The bill aims to improve payment accuracy and transparency without altering the core structure of public defense funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4628, the PEEPS Act, requires West Virginia law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing historical location data (such as license plate records, cell tower logs, or traffic camera footage) about people or vehicles. Exceptions include when a vehicle owner reports a theft, for traffic enforcement, toll collection, or in immediate emergencies where a warrant cannot be secured. The bill mandates that agencies encrypt this data, prohibit sharing or selling it to private companies, and maintain detailed records of all access requests with supervisor approval. This law directly affects police departments and government entities that collect location information, aiming to limit unwarranted surveillance while allowing specific public safety uses.

Maddy summaryHB 4698 requires West Virginia public high schools (grades 9-12) to make adoption awareness materials available to students upon request. The materials must cover adoption types, foster care vs. private adoption, resources for pregnant students, and child development information. Schools must provide written materials to parents or guardians of pregnant students who receive the information. This bill, effective for the 2026-2027 school year, directly affects high school students and their families by providing standardized adoption resources through school counseling offices.

Maddy summaryHB 4581 requires each county Bureau of Social Services office to hold monthly meetings to review child welfare operations and improve coordination. The bill mandates attendance by county supervisors, law enforcement, school officials, health providers, and other partners to discuss staffing, caseloads, service barriers, and child safety issues. Each meeting must produce a written report documenting attendees, key issues, and action items. This bill directly affects county child welfare offices and their local partners, aiming to enhance timely responses to child abuse and neglect through structured communication.

Maddy summaryHB 4614 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DoHS) to develop and implement a statewide prevention plan by January 1, 2027. The plan must provide evidence-based, trauma-informed services to children under 18 and their families - including those in foster care, youth aging out of foster care, pregnant youth, post-adoption youth, and families with specific needs - through a mix of physical locations and telehealth. DoHS must track service outcomes, report annually starting December 2027 on county-level service reach and costs, and seek federal funding to support these services. The bill focuses on expanding accessible prevention support for vulnerable youth and families without creating new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4598 requires the West Virginia Secretary of State to include "change audit data" in the existing $1,000 annual subscription service for voter registration data starting January 1, 2027. This data will show the reason for and date of each modification to voter records, such as address changes or registration status updates. The bill specifically amends existing law to mandate this addition to the subscription service, which currently provides basic voter list information. It directly affects subscribers who purchase the annual voter data subscription and the Secretary of State's office, which must implement the change.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 3 (HR 3), introduced by West Virginia delegates on January 20, 2026, requests Congress create a combined investigative task force to examine the origins and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution asks the task force to coordinate with existing investigations, investigate alleged issues like vaccine-related health impacts and business closures due to mandates, and recommend corrective actions. It specifically urges the task force to consider referring criminal charges where warranted and to address accountability for pandemic-related decisions. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but seeks a federal investigation into pandemic policies and their effects.

Maddy summaryHB 4620 establishes requirements for clothing and necessity allowances for children in foster care in West Virginia. It defines "adequate wardrobe" as appropriate, seasonally suitable clothing in good condition and sets a minimum $375 initial clothing allowance for new placements, plus up to $175 for supplementary needs like illness or damaged items. The bill requires placement providers (foster parents, kinship caregivers, or residential providers) to assess a child's existing wardrobe and necessities at intake, update an inventory periodically, and use a reloadable card as the primary payment method for approved items. It directly affects children in state custody and their caregivers by ensuring access to essential clothing and supplies during foster care. The law specifies that initial allowances cover immediate needs only, not full outfitting, and outlines three payment options for the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summaryHB 4597 increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption for eligible seniors and disabled homeowners. It phases in higher exemption amounts: starting at $20,000, rising to $30,000 by 2028, $35,000 by 2030, and fully eliminating property taxes on the first $40,000 of home value by 2032. The exemption applies to homeowners aged 65+ or certified permanently disabled who reside in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for returning military veterans or short-term out-of-state residents). This change directly affects qualifying homeowners by reducing their annual property tax burden over time.

Maddy summaryHB 4596 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and law enforcement agencies) from adopting policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The bill requires these entities to comply with federal immigration law enforcement or risk losing state funding - specifically, they have 90 days to fix violations after notice, and face funding denial for the next fiscal year if a court rules they intentionally violated the law. It directly affects local jurisdictions that might have previously limited information-sharing or collaboration with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to ensure local entities do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts through policy.