Del. Geno Chiarelli

Maddy summaryHB 2474 would increase the minimum monthly pay for all West Virginia state school service personnel by 25% across every salary grade. This affects non-teaching school support staff, including aides, custodians, cafeteria workers, and other classified roles listed in the bill's pay scale schedule. The bill amends existing law to set new minimum pay rates effective July 1, 2024, applying the 25% increase uniformly to all existing pay grades (A-H) and experience levels. The change directly affects thousands of state school support workers by raising their baseline compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 2459 expands eligibility for West Virginia secondary school athletic and extracurricular activities to home-schooled students, Hope Scholarship participants, and microschool learners. It requires the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to create rules allowing these students to join public school activities if they meet academic standards (fourth stanine test results), are under 19 by August 1, participate as amateurs, and comply with commission rules. Private school students may also join public school activities if their private school doesn't offer the same activity. The bill mandates that all participants pay reasonable fees and adhere to the same requirements as public school students. This policy directly affects non-public school students seeking athletic and extracurricular participation.

Maddy summaryHB 2458, the School Board Election Date Act, requires all West Virginia school districts to hold board elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November - coinciding with general elections. This directly affects school districts and candidates running for school board positions by standardizing election timing. The bill mandates that school board candidate names be listed alphabetically on ballots and references existing law for filling vacancies. It does not change election eligibility or voting procedures beyond the date and candidate listing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2525 requires all West Virginia public elementary and secondary schools to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The display must be at least 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall, include the exact biblical text listed in the bill (including the full wording from "I AM the LORD thy God" to "nor anything that is thy neighbor's"), and be visible from anywhere in the classroom. Schools must accept private donations meeting these specifications if they lack compliant displays, and may replace non-compliant existing displays using public funds or donations. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools in West Virginia, mandating a specific religious text in every classroom.

Maddy summaryHB 2380 would amend West Virginia law to impose a life sentence for individuals convicted of knowingly selling fentanyl. Specifically, it targets dealers who handle fentanyl classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, escalating penalties from the standard 3-15 year sentence for other Schedule II drugs to life imprisonment. The bill applies only to fentanyl sales (not other drugs or lower-schedule substances) and requires proof the dealer knew the substance was fentanyl. This change modifies Section 60A-4-401 of West Virginia Code, directly affecting fentanyl dealers convicted under this provision.

Maddy summaryHB 2379 would create a tiered property tax reduction for volunteer firefighters in West Virginia. Starting July 1, 2026, volunteer firefighters who serve for 3 years would get a 25% reduction in their real property tax, with an additional 25% reduction for 6 years of service, another for 9 years, and full tax elimination after 12 years. The bill directly affects homeowners who are active members of volunteer fire departments, reducing their ad valorem (value-based) property tax. It defines "active member" as those performing firefighting, emergency medical, or rescue duties during emergencies. The policy aims to support volunteer firefighters through tax relief tied to their service duration.

Maddy summaryHB 2343 requires the West Virginia State Auditor to conduct financial audits of all county boards of education. The bill mandates these audits cover every source of income or funds received by school districts, including local property taxes, state allocations, and federal grants. This policy change directly affects all 55 county school boards across West Virginia by expanding audit requirements beyond previous limitations. The State Auditor must now review all financial records related to these funds, ensuring comprehensive oversight of public education funding. The bill aims to standardize financial accountability for school district finances statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes schools, public libraries, and museums from legal exemptions that currently protect them from criminal prosecution when distributing or displaying legally obscene material to minors. Under current law, these institutions could avoid charges if they followed specific conditions (like having a parent present for minors at libraries), but the bill eliminates these protections entirely. The change means these organizations could now face criminal liability for such actions without the previous safeguards. This policy shift directly affects how these public institutions handle materials legally defined as obscene when minors are involved.

Maddy summaryHB 2125 expands safe surrender options by permitting 24/7 staffed 911 centers and ambulance stations to install newborn safety devices. These devices must include dual alarms tested weekly, visually checked daily, and alert staff within 30 seconds of a baby’s placement, triggering a 911 call if unattended for 15 minutes. Parents can anonymously leave infants under 30 days old without legal repercussions or abuse charges, while emergency responders gain liability protection for good-faith actions. The bill directly affects parents seeking anonymous surrender, emergency medical staff, and facilities operating these devices.

Maddy summaryHB 2130 sets reimbursement rates for healthcare providers serving West Virginia public employees and retirees through the Public Employees Insurance Agency. It requires the Agency to pay hospitals at least 110% of Medicare rates for inpatient care (excluding Medicare primary retiree plans) and mandates an 80% employer/20% employee cost-sharing structure for premiums. The bill also requires annual financial plans to be reviewed by an independent actuary, includes public hearings on proposed plans, and allows subsidies for retired employees based on factors like employment length. This directly affects state employees, retirees, and healthcare providers participating in the state insurance program.