Sen. Laura Chapman

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 509 prohibits medical providers from performing pelvic, prostate, rectal, or breast exams on patients who are anesthetized or unconscious, except under four specific circumstances: (1) prior written consent from the patient or their representative, (2) if the exam is part of an ordered surgical procedure with consent, (3) during a medical emergency requiring immediate diagnosis/treatment, or (4) per a court order for evidence collection. The law directly affects healthcare facilities and medical practitioners in West Virginia by establishing clear boundaries for such examinations. Violations are classified as second-degree sexual assault, with penalties including license suspension for at least five years and fines of $1,000-$10,000 deposited into a rape services foundation. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 451 extends the time the West Virginia Department of Human Services has to identify relatives and fictive kin (non-biological family members with a close relationship) of children removed due to abuse or neglect. The bill changes the deadline for filing an initial list of relatives from 21 days to a longer period and extends the deadline for determining if identified relatives can provide foster care from 45 days to 60 days. This provides more time for the department to locate and contact potential caregivers. The bill directly affects child welfare cases in West Virginia, where state law prioritizes placing children with relatives or fictive kin when out-of-home care is necessary.

Maddy summarySB 456 requires pharmacies in West Virginia to charge senior citizens (60 years or older) the lowest price available for their prescription drugs anywhere in the United States. Pharmacies must verify the senior's age and residency - using ID or contacting the prescriber - and allow family members or caregivers to obtain prescriptions on their behalf. If a pharmacy charges more than the lowest national price, seniors can sue for triple the amount of the overcharge or $500 (whichever is greater), plus attorney fees. The Attorney General can also enforce the law through existing unfair practice provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia to provide kinship caregivers (relatives raising children) and fictive kin (non-relatives with strong caregiving bonds) with the same financial support currently given to certified foster parents. It removes the requirement for these caregivers to become certified, though safety and background checks remain mandatory. The law ensures all existing foster parent benefits - like stipends, resources, and support services - are extended directly to kinship and fictive kin caregivers without additional barriers. This change applies immediately to all state-funded child welfare programs under the Department of Health and Human Resources.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 466 amends West Virginia law to define drugs containing specific food dyes and additives as adulterated. It directly affects drug manufacturers and distributors by prohibiting the use of FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, and FD&C Yellow No. 6 in drugs. The bill adds these substances to the list of "poisonous or injurious" ingredients under the state's adulteration definition for both drugs (section 16-7-2(a)(6)) and food products (section 16-7-2(b)(7)). This change makes products containing these dyes violations of state law, requiring compliance by manufacturers. The amendment is effective January 1, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 461 would require West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) to obtain legislative approval before implementing any rate increases for utility companies. This affects electric, gas, and water providers seeking to raise customer rates, as they would need to submit proposals to the state legislature for approval. The bill changes the current process by adding a legislative step - requiring PSC rate adjustment recommendations to be formally approved by the Legislature before taking effect. It does not alter the PSC's authority to propose rate changes but shifts final approval to the Legislature. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia hospitals to add newborn screening for mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1), a rare metabolic disorder that can be managed with early treatment but is not curable. It amends existing law to include MPS1 in the state's mandatory newborn screening program, which already tests for over 30 other conditions like sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. The legislation ensures all infants born in West Virginia are tested for MPS1 shortly after birth, allowing for prompt medical intervention. This change directly affects newborns in West Virginia and aligns the state's screening protocol with current medical guidelines for MPS1.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia Medicaid to cover doula services for eligible pregnant individuals. It mandates that the state file a plan amendment defining a doula as a trained professional providing physical, emotional, and informational support from confirmed conception through 180 days postpartum. Coverage includes two prenatal and two postpartum visits, with each visit reimbursed at $125 (adjusted annually for inflation), to be implemented by October 1, 2027. This directly affects Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and new mothers in West Virginia, expanding their covered maternity care options. The policy change is limited to existing Medicaid beneficiaries meeting income eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill's title claims to address world language instruction, but the actual text amends history/civics curriculum requirements (§18-2-9) for West Virginia public schools. It mandates K-12 instruction in U.S. history, civics, and government, requiring courses to cover American political philosophy, primary sources, and critical analysis of ideologies like democracy and communism. The bill also specifies standardized testing aligned with these standards and includes health education requirements on STD prevention, substance abuse, and CPR. The title misrepresents the bill's content, as it focuses on history/civics standards - not world language teaching - as detailed in the full text.

Maddy summarySB 464 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia, including the Public Employees Insurance Act, to cover biomarker testing when ordered by a physician for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of a disease, provided the test is medically indicated and has clinical utility. Biomarker testing - such as analyzing tissue or blood samples to identify gene mutations or protein markers that guide treatment decisions - must be based on evidence like FDA approvals, national medical guidelines (e.g., from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network), or Medicare coverage determinations. Insurers must provide a clear online process for appealing coverage denials and avoid requiring multiple biopsies that disrupt care. The bill does not cover routine screening before a diagnosis and mandates the Public Employees Insurance Agency to report implementation costs to the legislature after one year.