Sen. Laura Chapman

Maddy summarySB 817 would require private residential programs for adolescents (such as wilderness programs, bootcamps, or therapeutic schools) to obtain a license from the state. It mandates background checks for all staff with direct contact with youth and sets reporting requirements for critical incidents like self-harm, abuse allegations, or facility safety issues. The bill specifically excludes academic boarding schools, recreational camps, and faith-based youth programs from these regulations. Programs must comply with state health and safety standards developed by the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. This legislation aims to establish oversight for facilities providing residential care to adolescents not covered by existing licensing rules.

Maddy summarySB 851, the Child Protection Investigations Reform Act, requires West Virginia’s Department of Human Services to provide clear, written summaries and verbal notifications to parents or legal custodians accused of child abuse or neglect during investigations. The written summary explains investigation procedures, the right to file complaints, access records (unless safety is at risk), and legal counsel options, all in plain language the person understands. Verbally, it must also inform individuals of their Fourth Amendment rights, including the right to refuse interviews without a lawyer, withhold medical records, and consult an attorney before agreeing to safety plans. The bill applies only to investigations initiated on or after July 1, 2025, and does not change existing legal standards for reporting abuse.

Maddy summarySB 824 would simplify West Virginia's process for regulating occupations and professions by removing several application requirements. Currently, groups seeking to regulate a profession or expand its scope must provide detailed analysis of scope of practice, evidence of consumer harm, and other documentation. This bill eliminates those requirements, including the need to analyze scope of practice and consider it narrowly when determining regulation. The change would make it easier for professional organizations and individuals to seek regulation or expand existing professional scopes.

Maddy summarySB 719 raises the age at which minors can consent to certain medical services from 16 to 18 years, specifically for sexually transmitted infection care, alcohol addiction treatment, and controlled substance addiction treatment. The bill requires health care providers to notify parents or guardians (unless §16-30-26(b) applies) but removes the "mature minor" exception for these services. It also eliminates minors' ability to independently consent to do-not-resuscitate orders. The bill directly affects minors aged 16-17 and their parents/guardians regarding these specific health services.

Maddy summarySB 832 (West Virginia Senate Bill 832) requires health insurers and pharmacy benefits managers to adjust cost-sharing calculations for insured individuals. It mandates that insurers provide credit toward in-network cost-sharing when a person pays a discounted cash price below the insurer’s average allowed amount for a service. The bill also prohibits insurers from discriminating against individuals who pay cash for in-network services referred by out-of-network providers. These changes apply to all health insurance plans in West Virginia, effective January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify cost-sharing transparency for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's Bureau for Family Assistance to annually increase base payment rates for child care providers starting September 2025, adjusting them each year based on the Consumer Price Index (inflation rate). It also mandates a study on implementing performance-based contracts - where providers might receive extra payments for quality improvements - to assess impacts on outcomes like kindergarten readiness. The study must be completed and reported to the Legislative Oversight Commission by December 15, 2025. These changes directly affect licensed child care providers and the families relying on subsidized care.

Maddy summarySB 813 extends the time West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DHS) has to identify relatives and close family figures (called "fictive kin") who might care for a child removed from home due to abuse or neglect. It changes the deadline for DHS to file an initial list of known relatives from 7 to 21 days after a removal petition is filed. The bill also extends the investigation deadline for DHS to determine if identified relatives or fictive kin can provide care from 45 to 60 days. This affects children in foster care, DHS staff, and potential relatives or kinship caregivers.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate Resolution (SR 35), not a law, recognizing the West Virginia Mothers and Babies Support Program (WVMBSP) for its achievements during the 2023-2024 program year. It highlights the program's work in expanding services to 11,858 women and babies across all 55 counties through 49 partner locations, including pregnancy care centers and social service agencies. The resolution acknowledges specific accomplishments like funding essential resources (car seats, diapers, prenatal vitamins) and supporting program expansions, but does not create new policies or allocate funds. It serves solely as a formal acknowledgment of the program's impact.

Maddy summarySB 811 creates a pilot program providing financial subsidies to eligible child care workers in West Virginia to help cover their own child care costs. The subsidy covers 50% to 100% of eligible workers’ child care expenses, with eligibility based on employment hours and household income, as defined by rules to be established by the Department of Human Services by December 2025. The program runs from 2026 through 2028, requiring annual reports on participation, funds disbursed, worker retention, and feedback, plus a final evaluation to inform future decisions. Funding will come from state appropriations, federal grants, or other sources.

Maddy summarySB 697 creates a nonrefundable tax credit for West Virginia family caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible relatives. It allows a 50% credit on qualifying out-of-pocket expenses for caregiving, capped at $2,000 annually, covering costs like home modifications, medical equipment, hiring aides, or transportation. To qualify, the caregiver must be a West Virginia resident, and the care recipient must be 18+ years old, live in a private home (not a facility), and require assistance with daily activities like bathing or eating, as certified by a healthcare provider. The credit applies to expenses incurred after January 1, 2027, and excludes general home maintenance or reimbursed costs.