Del. Kayla Young

Maddy summaryHB 5125 strengthens protections for firefighters by creating criminal penalties for attacks or obstruction during emergencies. It makes it a felony to assault firefighters with deadly weapons or intentionally hinder their equipment (with penalties of 1-10 years in prison or fines up to $1,000), and a misdemeanor to willfully disobey traffic orders from firefighters (fines up to $1,000 for repeat offenses). The bill directly affects firefighters and the public, ensuring they can safely perform emergency duties without interference. It expands existing protections for emergency personnel under West Virginia law to specifically include firefighters. The law does not impose fines on fire departments but targets individuals who endanger responders.

Maddy summaryHB 5144 establishes a state program to import prescription drugs from Canada, requiring the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to design and implement it under federal approval (21 U.S.C. § 384). The program mandates that imported drugs meet FDA safety standards, generate significant consumer cost savings, and comply with federal tracking rules, while prohibiting distribution outside West Virginia. It requires the department to partner with licensed U.S. wholesalers, Canadian suppliers, and state health providers, create a public price website, and report annually on participation, drugs imported, and cost savings starting in 2027. This directly affects West Virginia consumers, pharmacies, health insurers, and healthcare providers participating in the importation program.

Maddy summaryHB 5118 requires all West Virginia public schools that qualify for the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to apply for this program, ensuring they maximize available federal funding for free school meals. It directly affects qualifying schools - typically those with high poverty rates - by mandating participation in CEP, which allows all students to receive free breakfast and lunch without individual applications. The bill's key mechanism is a requirement for school districts to utilize CEP or other universal meal options to provide free meals at no cost to students, leveraging existing federal resources. This policy change streamlines access to meal programs for eligible students without creating new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 5081 waives the $100 fee for new for-profit corporations and domestic corporations to register in West Virginia. This applies specifically to the initial filing of "Articles of incorporation" (Section 59-1-2(a)(1)(A)) and "Certificate of authority" (Section 59-1-2(a)(2)(A)) for new business entities. The bill directly affects new business owners who would otherwise pay this fee upon formation. The key mechanism is removing this specific $100 charge for first-time registrations, making it a one-time fee holiday for new for-profit business formation in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 5154 extends the statute of limitations for filing discrimination complaints under West Virginia law from one year to three years. It also raises the minimum employee threshold for a business to be considered an "employer" under the law from two to twelve employees. This change affects individuals who experience discrimination by giving them more time to seek redress and exempts small businesses with fewer than twelve employees from the law's coverage. The bill does not alter the types of discrimination prohibited but modifies the timeframe and scope of the Human Rights Commission's jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover GLP-1 class medications when a patient has a valid prescription. It directly affects patients prescribed these medications (used for conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes) and insurance companies providing coverage. The key provision mandates that insurers must cover these medications without additional restrictions beyond a valid prescription. This policy change aims to improve access to a specific medication class by guaranteeing insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 5115 requires West Virginia public schools (K-12) to adopt trauma-informed practices starting July 1, 2026, affecting all teachers, school staff, and students. The bill mandates training for educators on understanding trauma's impact on learning and behavior, while requiring schools to replace punitive discipline with restorative practices that address root causes. It also specifies creating inclusive school environments where students feel safe, connected, and supported through evidence-based strategies that avoid discrimination. The State Board of Education must develop implementing rules to ensure compliance with these standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5075 would provide a 15 percent pay raise to non-uniformed employees within West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR). This includes administrative and support staff such as clerical workers who do not wear uniforms, directly affecting their current wages. The raise would apply to all eligible employees' existing pay rates and take effect upon the bill's passage. The legislation amends existing compensation law to mandate this specific percentage increase for these workers.

Maddy summaryHB 5156, the Second Look Sentencing Act, allows West Virginia judges to reconsider prison sentences exceeding 10 years for individuals who have served at least a decade. To qualify, a person must demonstrate they are not a danger, pose no credible risk of reoffending, show readiness for reentry, and meet the interests of justice. The court must consider factors like rehabilitation progress, age at offense and petition, victim input, and completion of correctional programs before modifying the sentence, with a presumption of release for applicants aged 50 or older. Any sentence modification requires up to five years of supervised release post-release, and denied applicants may reapply under specific time limits.

Maddy summaryHB 5143 prohibits West Virginia higher education institutions (like colleges and universities) from requiring students or employees to share social media login details, change privacy settings, or add staff to their social media contacts. It also bans schools from punishing current students or denying admission/hiring to prospective students for refusing these demands. The law specifically allows schools to view information already publicly available online and does not override federal or state legal requirements. This bill directly affects students and employees of higher education institutions in West Virginia by protecting their private social media content from institutional demands.