Del. Kayla Young

Maddy summaryHB 5335 prohibits sexual abuse of animals in West Virginia, defining it as touching an animal’s mouth, anus, or sex organs for sexual gratification. It creates new misdemeanor and felony offenses with penalties including fines ($300-$10,000), jail time (up to 10 years), and mandatory forfeiture of the animal to the owner. Convicted individuals face minimum 5-year (misdemeanor) or 15-year (felony) bans on owning animals, plus costs for animal care and a required psychiatric evaluation. The bill directly affects anyone engaging in or facilitating sexual abuse of animals, including those who permit it on their property or involve minors.

Maddy summaryHB 5334 protects residential tenants in West Virginia who face safety threats. It allows tenants to end leases without penalty if they fear imminent violence from domestic abuse, sexual conduct, stalking, or sexual extortion - without requiring a conviction. Landlords cannot block tenants from calling police or penalize them for doing so, and must keep all related details (like the perpetrator's name or relocation address) confidential. The bill also prohibits landlords from using such information in databases or against tenants in eviction cases, while requiring written notice with proof of the threat before lease termination.

Maddy summaryHB 5332, the Agricultural Right to Repair Act, requires manufacturers of agricultural equipment (like tractors, combines, and sprayers) to provide farmers and independent repair shops with necessary repair documentation, parts, and tools on "fair and reasonable terms." The bill mandates that manufacturers offer these resources at costs equivalent to what they charge authorized repair providers, without forcing users to become authorized providers or register parts/tools. It specifically prohibits manufacturers from adding unnecessary restrictions or costs that would hinder independent repairs. This bill directly affects West Virginia farmers and local repair businesses by expanding their access to repair resources for farm equipment. The bill is currently in the introduction phase (filed February 9, 2026) and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 5358 authorizes the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to offer locality pay to Division of Highways employees working in specific areas where competitive wages are needed to recruit and retain staff. The bill allows employees in designated locations to receive an additional $10,000 annually on top of their regular salary, exceeding standard pay ranges for their position. This applies specifically to workers involved in state road projects, including planning, engineering, construction, maintenance, and traffic regulation. The commissioner must create a policy to implement this, but the bill does not guarantee funding or specify which areas will be designated.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 12 declares January 27, 2026, as Sexual Violence Awareness Day in West Virginia. The resolution recognizes West Virginia's high rates of sexual coercion victimization (ranking 5th nationally for women) and the significant impact of sexual violence on the state. It symbolically supports local victim services agencies and advocates working to address sexual violence, without creating new laws or funding. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 11) encourages West Virginia's K-12 students to design a new state highway route number shield for the 2026 anniversaries of the U.S. founding (250th) and the U.S. numbered highway system (100th). It directs the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Tourism to hold a statewide student design competition, requiring the shield to maintain federal safety standards for legibility while incorporating West Virginia identity. The winning design would be implemented gradually on state highways starting July 2027, replacing existing signs only as they wear out, and the student designer would receive legislative recognition. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, focusing on celebration and civic engagement rather than new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 5183 directs West Virginia’s Supreme Court of Appeals to establish a single pilot domestic violence court in Kanawha County. This specialized court would handle specific misdemeanor domestic violence cases involving family or household members, including violations of laws related to assault, protective orders, and related offenses. The Supreme Court must collect data on the court’s effectiveness and report findings to lawmakers by 2027 and 2028. The pilot is limited to Kanawha County and applies only to misdemeanor cases (felony cases require a circuit judge).

Maddy summaryHJR 35 proposes adding a constitutional amendment requiring West Virginia to provide free early childhood education for all children in the state. The amendment would create a new Section 8 in Article XII of the state constitution, stating that "the Legislature shall provide, by general law, for a thorough and efficient system of free schools including early childhood education." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this would establish a constitutional right to early childhood education, directly affecting all West Virginia children and requiring the legislature to fund and implement such programs. The resolution is currently in committee referral after its February 2026 introduction.

Maddy summaryHJR 36 is a constitutional amendment proposal (not a regular bill) that would add a new section to West Virginia's Constitution guaranteeing reproductive rights. It states that every individual has the right to make decisions about contraception, fertility treatment, pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion, with the state prohibited from interfering unless using the least restrictive means for health. The amendment allows abortion restrictions after fetal viability (when a fetus can survive outside the womb with medical care) only if a physician determines it's necessary to protect the patient's life or health. This proposal requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to become part of the state constitution.