Rep. Tom Clark

Maddy summaryHB 2474 would increase the minimum monthly pay for all West Virginia state school service personnel by 25% across every salary grade. This affects non-teaching school support staff, including aides, custodians, cafeteria workers, and other classified roles listed in the bill's pay scale schedule. The bill amends existing law to set new minimum pay rates effective July 1, 2024, applying the 25% increase uniformly to all existing pay grades (A-H) and experience levels. The change directly affects thousands of state school support workers by raising their baseline compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 2367 creates a web-based communication system for West Virginia's foster care system, requiring the Department of Health and Human Resources to implement it by July 1, 2026. The system will let foster and kinship parents access records, communicate with caseworkers, view visitation schedules, and receive health information - while ensuring only authorized parties can use it. It also establishes a "Foster and Kinship Parent Bill of Rights" listing specific rights, including the right to receive training, maintain family values (without harming the child), and be notified of child-related risks before placement. The bill directly affects foster parents, kinship caregivers, and child welfare staff by improving transparency and decision-making in foster care.

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 2366 would create a mandatory registry for individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses in West Virginia, requiring them to register with local State Police. It applies to those convicted of offenses like domestic battery (§61-2-28), domestic assault, or strangulation against an intimate partner (defined as a spouse, co-parent, or current/former romantic partner). Registrants must provide full names, addresses, and aliases in person at their county’s State Police office. The bill states its purpose is to help law enforcement and the public access information for safety, not to impose additional punishment, and covers both past and future convictions.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 2368 removes voting restrictions for people with felony convictions after they are released from prison in West Virginia. It automatically restores voting rights upon release through parole, probation, pardon, or completion of sentence, eliminating the need for additional steps like applying for restoration. This directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals who were previously barred from voting while on probation or parole. The bill amends West Virginia Code §3-3-2 to remove the disqualification language that previously prevented them from registering to vote during these post-sentence periods.