Maddy summaryHB 2058 establishes new protections for military-connected students in West Virginia schools. It defines these students as those with parents/guardians serving in active duty, reserves, National Guard, or who died in service, and requires schools to allow remote enrollment without physical registration for families relocating due to military orders. The bill mandates schools to accept temporary addresses (like base housing) for residency, guarantee equal access to all courses and activities, and provide counseling services when a parent is activated. It also requires schools to coordinate promptly for students with disabilities during transfers and notify teachers about military-connected students (with parent opt-out). These provisions directly affect military families moving within West Virginia and ensure smoother educational transitions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2082 bans third parties (like political groups or organizations) and election officials from sending absentee ballot applications to voters without a specific request. The bill requires that absentee applications only be provided to voters upon their direct oral or written request by the designated election official. This changes current practice by prohibiting unsolicited mailings or distribution of these forms, ensuring applications are only given when a voter actively seeks them. The law applies to all absentee voting applications in West Virginia, affecting how voters receive these forms and restricting who can distribute them.
Maddy summaryHB 2116 changes how surplus funds from voter-approved county levies are handled. If a county collects more money than the specific amount approved by voters for a special levy (like for schools or infrastructure), the extra funds will stay with that county instead of going to the state. The bill amends existing law to require these surplus funds to be placed directly into the county's general fund, where they can be spent like other local budget money. This affects counties that have passed voter-approved excess levies, ensuring they retain unused funds they collected. The change is procedural, focusing on fund retention rather than altering levy amounts or voter requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 2071 requires West Virginia public schools to provide parents or guardians with advance written notice before teaching any content about sexual orientation or gender identity, including curriculum materials. Parents can exempt their children from such instruction by submitting written notice to the school principal. The bill prohibits schools from giving false or misleading information about a student's gender identity or transition plans and mandates that school staff report student requests for gender-affirming accommodations to administrators and parents. It applies to all public school students in West Virginia and does not require schools to teach these topics.
Maddy summaryHB 2118 allows off-duty and retired law enforcement officers (LEOs) meeting specific requirements to carry concealed handguns in locations where active-duty officers could carry, including the State Capitol Complex. It requires these officers to comply with their agency's firearms policies and present agency-issued credentials upon request. The bill modifies Capitol access rules to permit concealed carry on Capitol grounds and in the Capitol building (excluding the Governor's office, Supreme Court chambers, and designated gallery areas), while maintaining restrictions on pepper spray and other weapons. This directly affects off-duty LEOs, retired officers with LEOSA certification, and Capitol security protocols. The policy change clarifies exemptions for authorized officers without altering general concealed carry laws.
Maddy summaryHB 2086 requires West Virginia's state superintendent and Department of Human Services to develop a strategic plan monitoring and improving reading and math skills for children currently or previously in foster care. It mandates an online academic support tool with videos, study guides, practice assessments, and after-school tutoring - available in all out-of-home placements and integrated with school systems - to address educational gaps. The bill also requires annual reports by December 31, starting in 2025, comparing foster children's educational outcomes to non-foster peers and evaluating the support program's effectiveness. This directly affects foster youth in West Virginia, aiming to improve their academic performance and future workforce readiness.
Maddy summaryHB 2077 requires voters applying for absentee ballots in West Virginia to include a copy of their West Virginia driver's license or alternative identification approved by the Secretary of State on their absentee ballot application forms. This applies specifically to anyone requesting an absentee ballot for any election, including mail-in or electronic voting. The bill adds a new requirement to the existing application process, which already includes name, address, and signature, but now mandates this ID verification step. It does not change the ballot itself or voting methods, only the application documentation for absentee voting. The Secretary of State will determine which alternative ID options are authorized.
Maddy summaryHB 2104 limits municipalities' ability to impose or increase business and occupation taxes after 2023. It prohibits new taxes or rate hikes on business activities not taxed by the municipality in 2024, caps municipal tax rates at historical state levels (e.g., 1% of gross income), and phases out municipal taxes on new car sales: reducing them by 50% effective July 2023, another 50% by July 2024, and eliminating them entirely by July 2025. The bill directly affects West Virginia municipalities and businesses operating within them, particularly those selling new vehicles or providing health maintenance services. These changes aim to stabilize local tax burdens while aligning municipal rates with state historical benchmarks.