Del. Mike Pushkin

Maddy summaryHB 3230 allows certified medical cannabis patients and their designated caregivers to grow up to 10 cannabis plants for personal use, with no more than five mature flowering plants at any time. Patients must have a valid bureau-issued ID card and physician certification, and plants must be kept for the patient's exclusive use. The bill explicitly prohibits commercial cultivation, requiring growers to hold a bureau permit, and specifies that only plant form may be cultivated (excluding dry leaf or other forms for personal growth). This amendment to West Virginia's medical cannabis law expands patient access by permitting home cultivation under strict limits, while maintaining existing rules for dispensing and product labeling.

Maddy summaryHB 3242 would create a state-maintained domestic violence registry for individuals convicted of three or more misdemeanor or felony domestic violence offenses. The West Virginia State Police’s Criminal Identification Bureau would establish and maintain this registry, which would include names and identifying details of those meeting the conviction threshold. Specific organizations - such as residential care facilities, schools, and home care providers serving children, incapacitated adults, or adults receiving behavioral health services - could access the registry to verify if an individual has a relevant conviction. The bill requires prosecuting attorneys to provide necessary information for registry entries and defines clear criteria for inclusion and access, focusing on safety for vulnerable populations.

Maddy summaryHB 3251 would allow bars (licensed liquor retailers) to purchase liquor directly from distilleries or mini-distilleries located within 10 miles of the bar, provided the liquor was manufactured at that specific distillery. Currently, distilleries can only sell directly to consumers or through existing wholesale channels, not directly to bars. The bill amends licensing rules to permit this direct sale, maintaining that only liquor produced at the distillery can be sold this way. This change would primarily affect bars seeking to source locally made spirits and distilleries looking to expand direct sales within their immediate region. The existing 5% wholesale markup fee would still apply to these transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 3241 removes language requiring specific state funding appropriations for education services to children and adults in correctional facilities and regional jails. Currently, the law states these services are provided "to the extent funds are provided therefor," which the bill would eliminate. This change allows the State Superintendent of Schools and education agencies to provide these educational services using existing funds, without needing new dedicated appropriations. The bill directly affects incarcerated children and adults in West Virginia's correctional facilities and regional jails who rely on these educational programs.

Maddy summaryHB 3248 requires West Virginia Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to contract with any qualified provider who meets specific criteria, including holding a valid Medicaid provider number, meeting licensing and credentialing standards, and not being disqualified from Medicare or Medicaid. This applies directly to hospitals, doctors, behavioral health providers, and other Medicaid service providers seeking to join an MCO's network. The bill mandates that MCOs accept these providers at the same reimbursement rates and contractual terms offered to comparable providers. It aims to expand provider access for Medicaid beneficiaries by removing barriers to network participation for eligible providers.

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 3240 establishes the Minority Health Advisory Team (MYHAT), an advisory body to the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health Commissioner. The team, composed of 20 appointed members including health professionals, university representatives, community health providers, and minority health advocates, advises on public health services for minority populations. Key provisions require MYHAT to review community health plans, recommend grant support, evaluate demonstration projects targeting health equity, and coordinate with state agencies to ensure minority health needs are addressed in policy decisions. This bill directly affects minority communities by creating a structured mechanism for input on health equity initiatives within West Virginia’s public health system.

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.