Sen. Laura Chapman

Maddy summarySB 240 would allow West Virginia public school teachers to earn overtime pay for work performed on weekends (Saturdays/Sundays) or beyond standard work hours, but only with prior approval from both the State Board of Education and their school principal. The bill requires the State Board to set the overtime rate based on the existing teacher salary schedule, with weekend work guaranteed to pay at least half the daily regular rate. This policy directly affects public school teachers in West Virginia who perform additional work outside typical hours. The bill does not automatically grant overtime but establishes a framework for its approval and calculation.

Maddy summarySB 526, now law as Chapter 197 of the 2025 Regular Session, grants pharmacists the authority to prescribe certain medications directly to patients. It specifically allows pharmacists to prescribe vaccines, birth control, and smoking cessation treatments without a physician's order. This expands patient access to these common healthcare services by enabling pharmacists to provide prescriptions within defined clinical protocols. The law directly affects patients seeking these specific treatments and pharmacists who can now offer this service under state guidelines.

Maddy summarySB 1 requires utility companies and local governments to coordinate utility work (like installing pipes or wires) with road paving projects. This directly affects utility providers and municipalities managing road construction. The law mandates that these entities hold joint planning meetings before starting work to avoid repeated road excavations. As a result, it reduces disruptions like multiple road cuts in the same area and saves public funds. The bill became law on April 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 464 creates a special license plate design for recipients of the Medal of Valor, an award given to law enforcement and emergency personnel for acts of heroism. The bill establishes a distinct plate with "Medal of Valor" wording, allowing eligible recipients to display it on their vehicles. This change directly affects individuals who have been honored with the Medal of Valor by their agency or state. The legislation was signed into law on April 24, 2025, and became Chapter 176 of the 2025 regular session acts.

Maddy summarySB 500 transfers the responsibility for conducting financial audits of volunteer fire departments from their current auditors to the Legislative Auditor. This change directly affects all volunteer fire departments in the state, as their audits will now be performed by the Legislative Auditor's office instead of previous entities. The bill replaces the existing audit process with a new provision requiring the Legislative Auditor to conduct these audits annually. The bill was approved by the governor and became law on April 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 8 expands safe surrender options for newborns by allowing parents to leave infants safely at additional locations like hospitals, fire stations, or designated facilities, and through new surrender devices (e.g., secure drop boxes). It directly affects parents seeking to surrender newborns without legal repercussions. The law adds specific sites and devices to existing safe surrender protocols, ensuring more accessible and anonymous options. Signed into law by the governor on March 26, 2025, it became effective August 8, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 710 establishes regulations for teledentistry services in the state, directly affecting dentists, dental practices, and patients seeking remote dental care. The bill sets clear standards for when and how dentists can provide consultations, diagnoses, and treatment plans via video or phone, including requirements for patient consent and record-keeping. It also clarifies that teledentistry services must comply with the same licensing and scope-of-practice rules as in-person care. The law, signed into effect on April 24, 2025, ensures consistent access to remote dental services while maintaining patient safety standards.

Maddy summarySB 291 changes the requirement for pharmacies to register with the state from once a year to once every two years. This directly affects all pharmacies operating in the state that must maintain active registration with the licensing authority. The key provision extends the registration period from annual to biennial, reducing the frequency of renewal filings. The law became effective on August 8, 2025, after being signed by the governor in March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 833 removes prescription drugs from West Virginia's "gold card" prior authorization process. This means health care providers will no longer need to submit prior authorization requests for medications through this specific system. The change affects patients seeking prescription drugs and providers who prescribe them, streamlining access to medications without delaying care. The bill was signed into law by the governor on April 25, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 158 modifies the eligibility requirements and defines specific political activities for appointed members of the West Virginia State Board of Education. The bill prohibits individuals convicted of certain offenses involving minors from serving on the board. It specifies that appointed members may not hold other public office (with limited exceptions), serve on political party executive committees, or solicit political contributions. However, it explicitly permits activities such as making campaign contributions, attending political fundraisers, and serving as unpaid campaign volunteers. The bill also contains contradictory provisions regarding attending political party conventions, listing it as both prohibited and permitted.