Del. Kayla Young

Maddy summaryHB 2849 establishes the West Virginia Secure Choice Retirement Program, requiring private employers with five or more employees (who don’t already offer retirement plans) to automatically enroll workers in a state-run retirement savings program. Covered employees can choose between Roth IRAs (after-tax contributions) or traditional IRAs (pretax contributions), with default contribution rates that automatically increase annually until reaching a maximum. The program holds employee contributions in a trust, administered by a board, and complies with federal tax code rules for IRAs. It directly affects private-sector employees in West Virginia who lack employer-sponsored retirement plans, with participation mandatory for qualifying employers starting within two years.

Maddy summaryHB 2846 requires West Virginia public schools (K-12) to implement trauma-informed practices starting July 1, 2025, directly affecting students, teachers, school leaders, and support staff. The bill mandates training for all educators on evidence-based approaches that recognize how trauma impacts learning and behavior, while promoting safe school environments. Key provisions include adopting disciplinary procedures that address trauma causes (not just punishment), using restorative practices to build trust, and ensuring no discrimination in discipline based on protected characteristics like race or disability. The law also requires schools to develop plans fostering student safety, positive relationships, and integration of social-emotional skills into academics.

Maddy summaryHB 2912 would require health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover GLP-1 class medications (used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes) when a patient has a valid prescription from a healthcare provider. This directly affects individuals with obesity or type 2 diabetes who are prescribed these medications, as well as insurance companies operating in the state. The bill amends state insurance law to mandate coverage for these specific medications without additional restrictions beyond a valid prescription. This change ensures patients can access these treatments without unexpected out-of-pocket costs due to insurance coverage gaps.

Maddy summaryHB 2900 establishes West Virginia's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Benefits Act, creating a state-run insurance program to provide wage replacement for eligible workers taking leave for family or medical reasons. The program requires contributions from employees and employers (with self-employed individuals able to opt in under specific conditions) and provides benefits for up to 12 weeks annually for qualifying events like childbirth, caring for a sick family member, or serious personal health conditions. It protects workers from retaliation for using benefits, integrates with existing federal family and medical leave laws, and creates a dedicated fund managed by the Insurance Commissioner. The law directly affects West Virginia workers and employers, replacing the need for employers to provide unpaid leave through this insurance-based system.

Maddy summaryHB 2907 prohibits violence or intimidation targeting individuals due to disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation, expanding existing civil rights protections in West Virginia. It makes such acts a felony punishable by up to $5,000 fines or 10 years in prison, while specifying that protected speech or associations cannot be used as evidence unless directly tied to the crime. The bill also mandates judges to consider alternative sentencing, such as community corrections programs, for convicted individuals and requires courts to assess whether rehabilitation or reintegration is possible. This law, designated as "Angel’s Law," applies to anyone violating these civil rights in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2904 clarifies that West Virginia's Lottery Education Fund and Excess Lottery Fund can now be directly used to support early childhood education programs statewide. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these two lottery funds as allowable sources for financing early childhood education, which county school boards must provide for children who turn four before September 1 (or July 1 starting 2018-2019). This change removes ambiguity about funding eligibility for programs meeting specific requirements, such as providing at least 48,000 annual instructional minutes. The bill directly affects county school boards responsible for implementing these programs, ensuring they can access these dedicated lottery funds.

Maddy summaryHB 2914 authorizes municipal fire departments in West Virginia to use specialized license plates on their vehicles. The bill specifies that these plates must feature blue lettering on a white background with "West Virginia" displayed on top, along with a fire department insignia to clearly identify the vehicle as belonging to a municipal fire department. This change modifies existing vehicle registration rules to add fire departments to the list of entities eligible for distinctive plates, similar to those already provided for law enforcement and county vehicles. The plates must be reflective and affixed to both the front and rear of fire department vehicles, following the design standards set by the Motor Vehicle Commissioner. This is a procedural update to license plate regulations, not a new funding or policy measure.

Maddy summaryHB 2887 would legalize cannabis production, sales, and adult consumption for individuals aged 21 and older in West Virginia, but only after counties hold voter referendums to approve local implementation. It establishes a regulatory framework where the Bureau of Public Health would issue licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, and retail sales, while the Department of Revenue would collect a special excise tax and manage local sales tax revenue for county governments. The bill preserves existing laws prohibiting underage use, driving under the influence, and workplace cannabis use, and requires cannabis products to be labeled and tested like alcohol. It explicitly states this law does not affect the current West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act.

Maddy summaryHB 2901 requires county election boards to electronically transmit the total ballots cast, counted, and rejected to the West Virginia Secretary of State using a standardized form. This change applies specifically to counties where candidates run in multiple counties, replacing current paper-based reporting for these multi-county races. The bill streamlines the administrative process for consolidating election results across jurisdictions without altering voting procedures or voter eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2911 sets new compensation rates for Guardians Ad Litem (GALs) in cases involving minor settlement proceedings and requires GALs to complete continuing education. The bill amends West Virginia law to establish standardized payment rates for GALs in these specific cases and mandates ongoing training to maintain professional competency. It directly affects GALs appointed in juvenile or family court cases where minors are involved in settlements. The changes aim to standardize payments and ensure GALs meet updated professional requirements.