Rep. David Green

Maddy summaryHB 2459 expands eligibility for West Virginia secondary school athletic and extracurricular activities to home-schooled students, Hope Scholarship participants, and microschool learners. It requires the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to create rules allowing these students to join public school activities if they meet academic standards (fourth stanine test results), are under 19 by August 1, participate as amateurs, and comply with commission rules. Private school students may also join public school activities if their private school doesn't offer the same activity. The bill mandates that all participants pay reasonable fees and adhere to the same requirements as public school students. This policy directly affects non-public school students seeking athletic and extracurricular participation.

Maddy summaryHB 2343 requires the West Virginia State Auditor to conduct financial audits of all county boards of education. The bill mandates these audits cover every source of income or funds received by school districts, including local property taxes, state allocations, and federal grants. This policy change directly affects all 55 county school boards across West Virginia by expanding audit requirements beyond previous limitations. The State Auditor must now review all financial records related to these funds, ensuring comprehensive oversight of public education funding. The bill aims to standardize financial accountability for school district finances statewide.

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 2372, titled "Creating the Parents' Bill of Rights," would establish that parents and legal guardians in West Virginia have final authority over decisions about their minor children's health, medical care, education, and welfare. Key provisions include the right to choose medical treatments (including vaccines and mental health services), select educational options (such as home schooling or private schools), and serve as their child's sole advocate in court without needing an attorney. The bill prohibits government entities from questioning or altering parental decisions unless a court finds clear evidence of imminent harm to the child. It also allows parents to sue the government for violations and restricts public institutions from exposing minors to certain materials or nudity in public settings like schools.