Del. Adam Burkhammer

Maddy summaryHB 4595 would allow West Virginia to approve short-term job training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants. The bill requires the governor, working with the Workforce Development Board, to approve programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs (defined as those with earnings above 150% of the federal poverty level or identified in workforce projections). It establishes state rules for program approval and ensures alignment with federal requirements. This change would directly affect short-term training programs and their students seeking federal grant support for career-focused education. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 4594 creates a new Department of Workforce Services to consolidate workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, adult education, and public assistance programs currently managed under the Department of Health and Human Resources. It transfers the Bureau for Family Assistance and Division of Rehabilitation Services into this new department and aligns work requirements for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid programs with federal law. The bill mandates an orderly transition of all records, personnel, and property by July 1, 2027, and terminates the Department of Health and Human Resources by devolving its functions into three new departments. This reorganization directly affects state agencies, program participants, and staff involved in workforce and human services.

Maddy summaryHB 4545 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to provide child welfare workers in two pilot counties with mobile devices (like tablets) that enable real-time digital record-keeping during child abuse and neglect investigations. The devices must have a customized operating system for child welfare, automatically upload records daily to a secure server, and be used in at least 70% of cases, while integrating with existing department systems. The pilot program, starting October 1, 2027, runs for five years and mandates annual reports to the legislature on its progress and metrics. This bill directly affects child welfare workers in the selected counties and the Department of Human Services, replacing paper-based processes with standardized digital tools.

Maddy summaryHB 4543 requires individuals convicted of stalking or harassing minors to live at least 5,000 feet away from schools or daycares. This applies specifically to those with prior convictions under West Virginia's stalking and harassment laws (§61-2-9a), including those violating protective orders involving minors. The bill amends existing criminal penalties by adding this residency restriction as a condition of probation or post-release supervision. It directly affects individuals convicted of these offenses, imposing a geographic limitation on their housing options near educational facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4542 amends West Virginia Code §49-2-205 to extend conditional liability protection to employees of private child welfare agencies or providers. The bill states these employees cannot be held personally liable for professional decisions made in their official duties, but this protection does not apply in cases of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional harm. This change directly affects private agency staff working under state child welfare contracts, altering their legal exposure when performing their job responsibilities. The amendment updates existing law to clarify that liability protection applies to routine professional actions, while maintaining accountability for serious misconduct.

Maddy summaryHB 4544 creates a new "homeless education coordinator" position in West Virginia counties designated by the state board as urban counties. The bill directly affects homeless students by requiring these coordinators to assist them in accessing and maintaining school enrollment. Key provisions mandate the state board to designate urban counties for this role and establish the coordinator's duty to help homeless students navigate school systems and address barriers to attendance. The bill amends education code sections to implement this position, focusing on concrete administrative change rather than broader policy shifts.

Maddy summaryHB 4515 would establish rules for religious organizations leaving a denomination while keeping property. It requires a local church to get a two-thirds vote from its members to disaffiliate and mandates that the parent denomination provide a detailed financial accounting within 60 days. Property is divided into three classes: real estate (Class A) can be kept if over 50% of its costs were raised locally, movable items (Class B) go to the buyer, and financial assets (Class C) are split based on funding sources over two years. The bill aims to clarify property division during disaffiliation disputes without favoring either side.

Maddy summaryHB 4358 establishes a three-year pilot program to provide legal representation for children in juvenile abuse and neglect cases through "Public Guardian ad Litem Services" in up to three West Virginia court circuits. The bill creates nonprofit corporations (not government agencies) to employ full-time staff attorneys who represent eligible minors - children unable to afford legal counsel in cases under §49-4-101 of the West Virginia Code. Key mechanisms include requiring these corporations to use Public Defender Service attorneys when conflicts arise, mandating oversight by a Guardian ad Litem Commission, and setting strict rules for funding, recordkeeping, and annual audits. The pilot aims to test an alternative model for delivering legal services to vulnerable children in specific court systems, with no expansion beyond the three designated circuits.

Maddy summaryHB 4398 increases the privilege tax rate for licensed sports wagering operators in West Virginia from 10% to 25% of their adjusted gross sports wagering receipts. This tax, paid weekly by operators, replaces all other state and local taxes on sports wagering operations (except property tax), covering both revenue and equipment purchases. Operators must submit weekly reports showing gross receipts, adjusted receipts, and tax due, with negative weekly receipts allowed to be carried forward to offset future tax liability. The bill directly affects licensed sports wagering businesses operating under West Virginia's Lottery Sports Wagering Act.

Maddy summaryHB 4350 amends West Virginia's Jobs Act to update reporting requirements for public construction projects. It allows contractors to submit alternative documentation - such as government ID, I-9 forms, or certified payrolls - instead of strict waiver certificates and certified payrolls when reporting employee data to the Division of Labor. This change directly affects contractors and public authorities managing public improvement projects, simplifying their administrative process. The bill specifies these alternatives to document employee details (residence, occupation) without altering the core data collection purpose. The Division of Labor will continue compiling and submitting annual reports to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance as required.