Del. Buck Jennings

Maddy summaryHB 2366 would create a mandatory registry for individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses in West Virginia, requiring them to register with local State Police. It applies to those convicted of offenses like domestic battery (§61-2-28), domestic assault, or strangulation against an intimate partner (defined as a spouse, co-parent, or current/former romantic partner). Registrants must provide full names, addresses, and aliases in person at their county’s State Police office. The bill states its purpose is to help law enforcement and the public access information for safety, not to impose additional punishment, and covers both past and future convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2372, titled "Creating the Parents' Bill of Rights," would establish that parents and legal guardians in West Virginia have final authority over decisions about their minor children's health, medical care, education, and welfare. Key provisions include the right to choose medical treatments (including vaccines and mental health services), select educational options (such as home schooling or private schools), and serve as their child's sole advocate in court without needing an attorney. The bill prohibits government entities from questioning or altering parental decisions unless a court finds clear evidence of imminent harm to the child. It also allows parents to sue the government for violations and restricts public institutions from exposing minors to certain materials or nudity in public settings like schools.

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 summaryThis House Resolution urges the federal government to address communication restrictions within the National Radio Quiet Zone in West Virginia and surrounding counties. The bill directly affects residents and first responders in Pendleton, Barbour, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, Upshur, and Webster counties who rely on cell phones and public safety radios. It specifically calls for a resolution regarding the power output limits on cell towers and radio networks near the Green Bank Observatory and the NSA's Sugar Grove Research Station. The resolution highlights concerns that these limits hinder emergency communications for 911 personnel and other first responders during critical situations. A copy of the resolution is to be sent to federal agencies managing the facilities and the state's congressional delegation.