Del. Kayla Young

Maddy summaryHB 2725 defines "urban agriculture" in West Virginia law as any agricultural operation within urban or suburban areas on public or private property inside municipal boundaries. The bill aims to clarify this term to support economic development, better conservation practices, and improved access to fresh local food. It directly affects urban farmers, community gardens, and small-scale food producers operating in city or suburban settings. The bill does not create new programs or funding but establishes a legal definition to guide future regulations and policies related to urban farming.

Maddy summaryHB 2903 prohibits landlords in West Virginia from charging tenants convenience fees for rental payments, directly affecting residential renters. The bill (§37-6-32) explicitly states landlords cannot impose these fees, though it allows landlords who accept payment methods without such fees (like cash or checks) to continue operating as usual. This policy change aims to prevent extra costs added when tenants pay rent via credit card, online platforms, or other methods that typically trigger convenience fees. The bill was introduced on February 24, 2025, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2915 exempts county school buses from paying toll fees when used for regular school-related activities. The bill specifically covers buses transporting students to and from school, field trips, after-school events, sporting events, and maintenance drives. It applies directly to county school systems operating within West Virginia's toll road network. The law would remove toll charges for these buses during their standard operational use, as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 2921 requires West Virginia correctional facilities, regional jails, and juvenile detention centers to provide free feminine hygiene products - such as tampons and sanitary napkins - to female inmates and female juveniles upon request. Facilities must supply these products within eight hours of a request, with no cost charged to the individual. This applies to all state correctional facilities, regional jails, and juvenile detention centers statewide. The bill amends existing law to explicitly exempt these products from inmate fees and ensures timely access to essential hygiene items.

Maddy summaryHB 2917 amends West Virginia law to require all applicants under 18 seeking a marriage license to be at least 16 years old and West Virginia residents. It restricts 16-17 year olds from marrying someone more than four years older and mandates written parental consent, along with signed affirmations that the marriage is voluntary and not coerced. The bill also allows minors in such marriages to petition for annulment without parental consent until age 18. This directly affects minors aged 16-17 who seek marriage licenses in West Virginia. The bill does not change existing marriages or those performed outside the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2918, the Men’s Equality Act, requires West Virginia’s public employees insurance plan to cover 100% of voluntary male sterilization procedures without cost-sharing. It directly affects public employees enrolled in this specific insurance plan who seek male sterilization. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage or penalizing providers for offering this service, ensuring consistent access under the plan. These provisions apply only to the public employees insurance plan and take effect July 1, 2025. The law does not impact private insurance or other types of reproductive care.

Maddy summaryHB 2916 prohibits tax preparation software companies from charging West Virginia taxpayers a fee for electronically filing state tax returns. The bill applies to all software used for tax return preparation, including online platforms and installed programs. It specifically bans fees for the electronic filing service itself, not for other features or services. This directly affects taxpayers who use such software to submit their West Virginia tax returns.

Maddy summaryHB 2850 creates a paid parental leave pilot program for West Virginia state employees. It provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 90% of an employee's average weekly wage (capped at $1,000/week) for birth or adoption during July 2025-July 2027, in addition to existing leave benefits. Eligible employees must be full-time, permanent state workers with 12 consecutive weeks of service, and employers must maintain health coverage during leave. The program requires employers to submit employee claims to the Department of Labor and ends December 31, 2028, as a time-limited pilot.

Maddy summaryHB 2853 establishes a legal right for individuals to access contraception and for healthcare providers to offer it in West Virginia. The bill prohibits state or local laws that restrict access to FDA-approved contraceptives (like pills, IUDs, condoms, or implants) or interfere with their sale, provision, or use. It specifically blocks restrictions that "impede access" to contraception, requiring any such restriction to be justified by clear evidence of safety benefits and shown to be the least restrictive option. This directly affects patients seeking birth control, healthcare providers, and state/local agencies implementing health regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2851 requires businesses to obtain a consumer's clear, active agreement before automatically renewing subscriptions or continuous service offers. It mandates that businesses provide specific, easy-to-understand disclosures about cancellation policies, recurring charges, and term lengths before enrolling customers. This directly affects consumers who often face unexpected charges and businesses offering subscription models. The law aims to prevent surprise fees by ensuring consent is explicit and terms are transparent, not buried in fine print.