Del. Jeff Stephens

Maddy summaryHB 3071 requires all West Virginia workplaces to include an FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal medication (like naloxone) in first aid kits by December 1, 2027, and to train employees on its use. This applies directly to every employer across the state, mandating accessible emergency response tools for opioid overdoses. The bill specifies that the medication must be naloxone hydrochloride or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist, along with clear usage instructions. It aims to ensure immediate access to life-saving treatment in workplace settings without altering existing safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2065 would allow Gold Star parents (mothers or fathers of veterans killed in combat) to receive one free Gold Star Family license plate for personal use, exempting them from standard vehicle registration fees. The bill defines a "Gold Star parent" as a parent of a veteran eligible for a gold star lapel pin under federal law (10 U.S.C. § 1126). This extends the existing fee exemption for Gold Star spouses (widows/widowers) to include parents, applying to a single vehicle registered in the parent's name.

Maddy summaryHB 2885 would allow West Virginia public employees who joined the retirement system on or after July 1, 2015, to use their unused sick leave toward retirement credit. Currently, these employees cannot apply unused sick leave to increase their retirement service time, unlike those who joined before that date. The bill removes this exclusion, permitting them to convert unused sick leave into retirement credit at the existing 2:1 ratio (two workdays for each sick day), without changing the current calculation method. This change directly affects newer state employees seeking to boost their retirement benefits through accrued sick time.

Maddy summaryHB 2727 requires that at least one member of both the West Virginia University (WVU) Board of Governors and the West Virginia State University (WVSU) Board of Governors must have a background in agriculture or an agricultural field. This bill amends existing law governing university board composition, adding a specific qualification requirement for these two boards. It directly affects WVU and WVSU governance by mandating this expertise in agricultural matters for one appointed board member. The change modifies current appointment rules without altering other board composition requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2956 expands West Virginia's Laken's Law to require annual opioid and fentanyl awareness education for students in grades 3-12, replacing the current requirement for grades 6-12. The bill mandates schools to teach about opioid dangers, prevention strategies, the life-saving use of FDA-approved reversal agents, and community resources for substance abuse. Instruction for grades 6-12 begins in the 2024-2025 school year, while the expanded coverage for grades 3-5 starts in 2025-2026. This directly affects all public school students and educators across West Virginia by broadening the age range for this mandated health education.

Maddy summaryHB 2933 would set the State Superintendent of Schools' annual salary at the average of salaries for equivalent positions in West Virginia's five neighboring states (Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia). The salary would be established at this average upon the bill's effective date and reassessed every five years. This change directly affects the State Superintendent's compensation and replaces the current method where the State Board of Education sets the salary. The bill does not alter the superintendent's job duties, qualifications, or other responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 2932 would amend West Virginia law to reduce the number of Associate State Superintendent of Schools positions from two to one. The bill directly affects the State Department of Education's staffing structure by changing the legal limit on this specific role. It does not address salaries or other responsibilities, only establishing a maximum of one position instead of the current two. This is a structural change to the department's organization, not a salary adjustment as the title mistakenly suggests. The bill is currently in the House Education Committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 2882 would allow West Virginia municipalities to suspend a driver's license if a person fails to pay traffic fines or related costs (like restitution or penalties) within 90 days of a court judgment, unless they establish a payment plan. The bill requires a $25 fee to set up a payment plan (payable in up to five installments) and calculates monthly payments at 2% of the person's annual net income or $10, whichever is greater. If payments are missed, a $10 late fee applies monthly, and after 90 days of non-payment, the court clerk may suspend the license or send the debt to collections (with a 25% fee cap on collections). This directly affects drivers with outstanding municipal traffic fines who do not comply with payment arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 2924 would abolish the legal doctrine of adverse possession in West Virginia, meaning individuals can no longer claim ownership of land simply by occupying it openly and continuously for a set period without the owner's permission. The bill amends the state code to remove the existing 10-year limitation period for land claims and explicitly states that "the doctrine and law of adverse possession is abolished." This change directly affects landowners, who will no longer face the risk of losing property through adverse possession claims, and individuals who might have sought to claim land under this rule. The bill does not alter other property laws but specifically eliminates adverse possession as a method to obtain title to land.

Maddy summaryHB 2840 defines a "critical vacancy" in West Virginia public schools as a position essential for student success, safety, or meeting compliance/certification standards. The bill requires school districts to have certified staff members in the relevant subject area fill such vacancies temporarily until a permanent hire is made. It mandates that districts post critical need positions for at least 10 days before hiring prospective teachers and allows one-time financial incentives for recruitment. This bill directly affects school districts, certified educators, and students in schools facing staffing shortages.