Del. Mike Pushkin

Maddy summaryHB 5380 would remove a current restriction in West Virginia law that limits individuals to one expungement of criminal convictions. Under existing rules, people with multiple eligible convictions could only have one set of charges erased from their records. This bill would allow eligible individuals to seek expungement for multiple convictions, provided they meet other criteria like waiting periods and avoid excluded offenses (e.g., violent crimes or DUI). It directly affects people with multiple qualifying convictions who currently cannot clear all their records. The bill does not change existing waiting periods or the list of ineligible offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 5266 requires West Virginia Medicaid managed care organizations to contract with any qualified hospital, doctor, behavioral health provider, or other provider who meets all licensing, Medicaid enrollment, and credentialing requirements. It mandates that these providers must be offered the same reimbursement rates and contract terms as comparable providers already in the network. The bill applies directly to Medicaid managed care organizations and providers seeking to join their networks, ensuring they cannot exclude qualified providers based on arbitrary criteria. This would create a more open system for providers to participate in West Virginia's Medicaid program.

Maddy summaryHB 5259 permits qualifying patients with a physician certification and a valid state-issued medical cannabis ID card, or their designated caregivers, to grow up to 10 cannabis plants for personal use. The bill specifically allows cultivation in "plant form" but limits this to no more than five mature, flowering plants at any time. Patients or caregivers must comply with physician certification requirements and cannot grow for commercial purposes or exceed the plant limits. This amendment to West Virginia's medical cannabis law adds Section 16A-5-11 to explicitly authorize home cultivation under these conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 5253 creates a confidential domestic violence registry maintained by the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau. The registry lists individuals convicted of three or more domestic violence offenses (as defined in state law), allowing authorized entities like childcare facilities, residential care homes, and home care providers to conduct confidential background checks before hiring staff or volunteers who interact with children, incapacitated adults, or adults receiving behavioral health services. Prosecuting attorneys must submit relevant conviction data to the registry, and the bill specifies that only "requesters" (such as employers or care providers) can access the information for employment screening purposes. The law aims to protect vulnerable individuals by enabling confidential verification of a person's domestic violence history prior to placement in caregiving roles.

Maddy summaryHB 5256 removes an exemption allowing nonprofit workshops to pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage, requiring all such workers to receive standard minimum pay. It establishes a state task force with 17 members - including disability advocates, agency representatives, and service providers - to develop an "Employment First Policy" prioritizing integrated, competitive employment in the general workforce. The policy shift mandates state agencies to align services toward helping people with disabilities achieve competitive wages and benefits in mainstream jobs, rather than segregated settings. This directly affects individuals with disabilities employed in nonprofit workshops and state-funded employment programs.

Maddy summaryHB 5250 clarifies that West Virginia’s legislature cannot interfere with courts when the legislature or a member is a party in a legal case related to legislative actions. The bill creates an automatic pause in court proceedings involving legislators or legislative employees during specific times, such as during legislative sessions or the 10 days before/after sessions. This allows lawmakers to focus on their duties without being required to attend court appearances or respond to legal filings during these periods. The pause applies only when a court determines delaying the case would hinder fair and timely justice.

Maddy summaryHB 5261 updates West Virginia's laws on seizing property involved in criminal activity. It specifies that when someone is convicted of a crime involving contraband (such as drugs, tax-evading tobacco, or equipment used to manufacture illegal substances), the court can order forfeiture of the crime's proceeds, property traceable to those proceeds, and items used to commit the crime (like vehicles, containers, or records). The bill includes new protections for innocent property owners, such as allowing vehicle owners to keep their property if they didn’t know it was used for illegal activity. It also establishes clear rules for handling seized property, including requirements for returning property to owners and restrictions on selling forfeited items.

Maddy summaryHB 5251 would amend West Virginia's Human Rights Act and Fair Housing Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" in employment, public accommodations, and housing. The bill adds these categories to the existing list of protected characteristics under §16B-17-2 and defines "gender identity" in §16B-17-3 as "the actual or perceived gender-related identity... regardless of the individual's designated sex at birth." This change directly affects residents facing discrimination in jobs, housing, or public spaces due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill does not create new protections beyond those already established for other categories like race or disability.

Maddy summaryHB 5263 prohibits West Virginia insurers from using credit scores or the number of credit inquiries to deny or rate auto liability or homeowners insurance applications. It specifically bans credit scoring as a factor in determining rates for these policies and prevents insurers from relying on disputed or potentially inaccurate credit information. The bill directly affects applicants seeking auto or homeowners insurance in West Virginia by removing credit history as a criterion for coverage decisions. This policy change ensures insurers must base rate decisions on other underwriting factors, not credit-related data.

Maddy summaryHB 5254 establishes the Minority Health Advisory Team (MYHAT) to advise West Virginia’s public health commissioner on improving services for minority populations. The 20-member team - comprised of health experts, educators, community representatives, and state agency leaders - will identify communities for a Community Health Equity Initiative Demonstration Project targeting documented health disparities, such as higher infant mortality rates and poverty among African American families. Key mechanisms include reviewing community plans, recommending grant applications, and ensuring state programs address minority health needs. The project, authorized under the bill, requires participating communities to submit data and aligns with the Legislature’s findings on racial health inequities. The advisory team must be appointed by August 1, 2026, and meets at least twice yearly.