Del. Kayla Young

Maddy summaryHB 5139 authorizes municipal fire departments in West Virginia to use specialized license plates. The bill amends existing law to require these plates to feature blue lettering on a white background with "West Virginia" on top and a fire department insignia, using reflectorized material (as specified in §17A-3-23(d)(2)). This directly affects municipal fire departments by providing a distinct plate design to identify their vehicles, separate from law enforcement or other government vehicle plates. The policy change is limited to the plate design and identification requirements, with no new fees or funding specified.

Maddy summaryHB 5130 creates a civil legal remedy for West Virginia residents whose intimate images (such as photos showing uncovered genitals, pubic areas, or sexual conduct) are shared without their consent. It allows affected individuals to sue if they suffered harm from an intentional disclosure they did not consent to, the image was private, and they were identifiable. The bill includes exceptions for disclosures to law enforcement, reporting unlawful conduct, or matters of public interest, while protecting plaintiffs' privacy through sealed court filings. Remedies include compensation for economic damages, emotional distress, and other harms caused by the unauthorized sharing.

Maddy summaryHB 5133 would amend West Virginia law to allow any voter aged 65 or older to request an absentee ballot without needing to provide additional justification beyond their age. This change directly affects West Virginia residents 65 and older who face mobility challenges that prevent in-person voting. The bill adds "extreme advanced age" as a qualifying reason under existing absentee voting provisions, specifically listing it as a new option in subsection (b)(8) alongside medical conditions and other circumstances. It does not create new voting methods or change deadlines - it simply expands who qualifies for current absentee voting rules. The bill focuses on making absentee voting accessible for older voters with age-related mobility limitations.

Maddy summaryHB 5077 requires all health insurance policies in West Virginia (including group plans, public employee coverage, and hospital plans) issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to cover medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder treatment. It defines "medically necessary" as care meeting established clinical standards, being appropriate in type/duration, and not primarily benefiting insurers. The law prohibits insurers from using arbitrary "discretionary clauses" to deny such coverage. This directly affects all West Virginians with health insurance by mandating comprehensive coverage for these conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 5152 prohibits public utilities from disconnecting residential electricity, gas, or water services during a state of emergency declared by the governor. It requires utilities to offer residential customers a payment plan to cover overdue bills without late fees or penalties, and to restore service within 48 hours for those disconnected during the emergency. The bill also bans disconnections for 180 days after the emergency ends for customers facing financial hardship due to the emergency. Utilities must notify customers about these protections and make reasonable efforts to contact affected households to provide payment plan options.

Maddy summaryHB 5146 would amend West Virginia's drug scheduling law to remove marijuana, psilocybin, and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) from Schedule I, the most restrictive category for controlled substances. This change would move these substances to a less restrictive classification under the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The bill directly affects how these specific substances are legally treated in West Virginia, removing their current Schedule I status. It does not address medical or recreational use but changes their regulatory classification. The bill was introduced by Delegate Young and referred to the Health and Human Resources and Judiciary committees.

Maddy summaryHB 5119 establishes a legal right for West Virginia residents to access contraception and for healthcare providers to offer it. The bill prohibits state or local laws that restrict access to FDA-approved contraceptives (like pills, IUDs, condoms) or impede their use, requiring any such restrictions to prove they significantly advance safety with no less restrictive alternative. It allows individuals, healthcare providers, or the state attorney general to file civil lawsuits to challenge violating laws and seek court orders stopping enforcement. The bill explicitly does not affect health insurance coverage requirements for contraception.

Maddy summaryHB 5149 establishes the West Virginia Prescription Drug Affordability Board to address high prescription drug costs for residents and health systems. The board will review pricing for all prescription drugs - including brand name, generic, biologic, and biosimilar drugs - and require transparency from manufacturers about drug costs. It directly affects West Virginia residents, state/local governments, health plans, healthcare providers, and pharmacies by creating a formal process to evaluate affordability challenges. The bill mandates the board to conduct cost studies, require manufacturer disclosures, and issue reports, aiming to reduce financial burdens on patients and the healthcare system.

Maddy summaryHB 5131 establishes a two-year pilot program through the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to improve access to fresh, affordable produce in food desert communities - defined as areas lacking nutritious food options. The program requires selecting partnering providers to operate weekly markets in three designated food desert communities (including one rural area), with providers obligated to accept multiple payment methods, offer discounted produce packages, and donate surplus to food banks. It directly affects residents in these communities who struggle to access fresh food, while requiring providers to demonstrate reliable supply and include storage/recipe guides. The Department must submit a legislative report within two years detailing participating communities, families served, voucher usage, and recommendations for expanding the program statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 5080 establishes West Virginia's first state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program. It provides eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually for personal medical needs, caring for a newborn or newly adopted child, or addressing a family member's serious health condition, funded through payroll contributions from employees and employers. The program covers workers meeting income eligibility requirements (including self-employed individuals who opt in), with benefits calculated based on prior earnings. Key provisions include anti-retaliation protections for employees using leave, employer notice requirements, and administration by the Insurance Commissioner through a dedicated state fund.