Del. Geno Chiarelli

Maddy summaryHB 2451 exempts home-based business owners (specifically sole proprietors and independent contractors) earning under $2,500 annually in gross revenue from requiring a municipal business license, provided they don't maintain a permanent physical location within city limits. It also establishes a revenue threshold for exempting small businesses from municipal business and occupation taxes. The bill amends existing tax codes to clarify these exemptions and creates the "Small Business Protection Act" to formalize these changes. This directly affects low-revenue home-based entrepreneurs in West Virginia municipalities. The law takes effect July 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2484 clarifies the probationary period for paid municipal firefighters, directly affecting firefighters employed by local governments. The bill defines the specific timeframe during which these firefighters are considered probationary before gaining full job security. This clarification ensures consistent application of probation rules across municipal fire departments and became law as Chapter 68 of the 2025 Regular Session.

Maddy summaryHB 3338, now law as Chapter 52 of the 2025 Regular Session, allows child witnesses to testify remotely in court proceedings when a judge determines in-person testimony would be traumatic for them. This directly affects minors involved in sensitive cases, such as abuse or violence, by providing an alternative to testifying in the courtroom. The key provision gives judges the authority to decide if remote testimony is necessary for the child's well-being, without requiring a separate motion. The bill does not change existing procedures for adult witnesses or alter the legal standards for admissibility of testimony.

Maddy summaryHB 2960 allows West Virginia's Division of Highways to hire private companies for snow removal on secondary roads in Monongalia and Preston counties, replacing the previous requirement to use state crews. This policy change directly affects residents and road users in those two counties by altering how local snow clearing is managed. The key provision removes the restriction preventing the Division from contracting with private firms for these specific roads. The bill became law on April 30, 2025, after approval by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2344 requires drivers approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning lights (like emergency flashers, flares, or hazard lights) to either safely change lanes away from the vehicle or reduce speed to 15 mph on nondivided roads and 25 mph on divided highways. Violations carry fines up to $500, jail time up to 60 days, and license suspensions that increase with severity: 90 days for property damage, six months for injuries, and two years for fatalities. The law directly affects all drivers in West Virginia who encounter stationary vehicles with warning signals, such as construction crews or emergency responders. It becomes effective July 11, 2025, following its passage on April 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2548 clarifies the specific responsibilities of the state superintendent when implementing state education rules. It directly affects the state superintendent's office and education agencies by defining exactly how they must handle rule adoption and enforcement. The bill specifies that the superintendent must provide written guidance to school districts on rule implementation timelines and procedures. This change removes ambiguity in current processes, ensuring consistent application of education regulations across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2347, "The Joel Archer Substance Abuse Intervention Act," became law on April 30, 2025, without the Governor's signature. The bill establishes a new state-funded program to expand access to immediate, non-judgmental substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services for individuals in crisis, directly affecting people experiencing acute addiction challenges and their families. Key provisions require counties to develop local response teams that can connect individuals to treatment within 24 hours, with state funding covering initial assessments and placement. This law shifts focus from criminal justice involvement to health-based intervention for SUD emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 2797, now enacted as Chapter 243 of the 2025 Regular Session, clarifies which healthcare professionals may diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a compensable injury under workers' compensation. The bill specifically authorizes licensed clinical psychologists and psychiatrists to make such diagnoses, expanding the list of eligible providers beyond current standards. This change directly affects workers seeking compensation for work-related PTSD and healthcare providers treating those cases. The law modifies the eligibility criteria for PTSD claims within the state's workers' compensation system.

Maddy summaryHB 2836 creates a formal permit system for individuals to legally care for injured, orphaned, or ill native wildlife in West Virginia. It establishes "Wildlife Rehabilitators" who may capture, transport, provide medical care, release, or humanely dispatch such animals under permit conditions set by the Division of Wildlife Resources. The bill also allows licensed veterinarians or animal control agencies to provide emergency care (without a full permit) for up to 48 hours before transferring animals to a permitted rehabilitator. This directly affects wildlife caregivers, shelters, and veterinary professionals working with native species, while clarifying that only native wildlife is covered under the permit rules. The law amends existing wildlife possession statutes to align with these new rehabilitation protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 2434, the Stop Squatters Act, creates a new legal process for property owners to immediately remove unauthorized occupants (squatters) from residential or commercial properties without using standard eviction court procedures. It defines a "squatter" as someone occupying without legal right (not including tenants who've overstayed), requires owners to first demand departure in writing, and allows law enforcement to remove occupants if specific conditions are met (e.g., no public access, no pending lawsuits). The bill also establishes criminal penalties: misdemeanors for property damage under $1,000 ($2,500 fine or 1 year jail) and felonies for damage over $1,000 (1-10 years prison), plus penalties for false documents or advertising properties without legal title. This directly affects property owners, law enforcement, and individuals occupying properties without legal authority.