Maddy summarySB 121 creates a new felony offense for indecent exposure involving minors in West Virginia, specifically requiring exposure of genitals (penis, vagina, or anus) to children under 14. It mandates sex offender registration for convictions, increases penalties for repeat offenses (including fines and imprisonment), and removes the breastfeeding exemption due to clearer definitions. The bill amends West Virginia Code sections §61-8-9 and §61-11-18 to define the offense, establish registration requirements under the Sex Offender Registration Act (§15-12-2), and classify it as a qualifying offense for enhanced sentencing. This directly affects individuals convicted of exposing genitals to minors, with stricter consequences for multiple violations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 513 modifies West Virginia's racetrack video lottery funding structure. It establishes a "Licensed Racetrack Modernization Fund" within the State Lottery Fund, allowing licensed racetracks to receive $1 in recoupment for every $2 spent on qualifying facility improvements (like new video terminals or building upgrades) after July 1, 2011. Racetracks must retain new equipment for at least five years. The bill also adjusts how net terminal income is distributed: 30% goes to the State Lottery Fund, 2% to the county where terminals are located, and the remainder covers racetrack operations (replacing separate lottery agent commissions). These changes apply to all fiscal years beginning July 1, 2011, through 2030.
Maddy summarySB 566 provides tuition coverage for certified law enforcement officers in West Virginia pursuing education. It covers tuition and fees for one certificate, one undergraduate degree, one master's degree, and up to two doctorate degrees annually per officer, capped at the highest public university tuition rate. Officers must serve one year for every year of tuition covered or repay the costs. The program requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to set eligibility rules and administer payments, with reductions if officers receive other grants. It directly affects certified officers seeking education while serving in West Virginia.
Maddy summarySB 645 requires West Virginia cities to consider a petition signed by qualified voters if they seek to revisit a charter amendment previously rejected by voters. The bill mandates that city governing bodies must formally review such petitions, ensuring rejected amendments cannot be indefinitely blocked without voter input. This change directly affects all West Virginia cities by altering the process for reconsidering rejected charter amendments, requiring clear action on voter petitions rather than allowing dismissal.
Maddy summarySB 103 would amend West Virginia law to exempt specific military and security records from public disclosure under the state's open records law. The bill protects classified national security information, terrorism response plans and vulnerability assessments, intelligence shared between federal/state agencies, and sensitive military operations data. These exemptions apply to records maintained by the National Guard, Department of Defense, and other agencies. As a result, the public would no longer have access to these records under West Virginia's public records law. The change aims to prevent disclosures that could threaten public safety, endanger personnel, or provide military advantages to adversaries.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 13) memorializes Wanda Porterfield Casto, a 34-year part-time Senate Secretary/Administrative Assistant who served the West Virginia Senate and dedicated her life to public service. The resolution formally honors her legacy as a wife, mother, grandmother, and public servant, extending the Senate's deepest sympathies to her family following her passing on May 20, 2024. It directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to her family. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact and serves solely to recognize her contributions.
Maddy summarySB 136 increases penalties for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in West Virginia. It raises the minimum prison term for second-degree murder from 10 to 15 years (maximum from 40 to 60 years) and for voluntary manslaughter from 3 to 5 years (maximum from 15 to 25 years). The bill also requires inmates convicted of these crimes to serve at least 15 years before becoming eligible for parole (previously 10 years), and increases parole eligibility requirements for life sentences. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter under West Virginia law.
Maddy summarySB 151 creates new criminal offenses for intentionally harming police dogs and other public safety animals used by law enforcement, fire, or emergency personnel in West Virginia. It establishes three penalty levels: a misdemeanor for physical injury (fines of $200-$1,000 or up to 1 year in jail), a felony for serious injury (fines of $1,000-$3,000 or 1-5 years in prison), and a felony for causing death (fines of $2,000-$5,000 or 2-10 years in prison). The law exempts self-defense actions and official euthanasia of injured animals by personnel. It directly affects individuals who intentionally harm these animals, while defining "public safety animals" as those specifically trained to assist officers during official duties.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 3) creates a Select Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health for the Eighty-Seventh Legislature. The committee, appointed by the Senate Presiding Officer (up to 17 members), will gather information on prevention, treatment, research, policies, access to care, and funding related to substance use disorders and mental health. It may meet during legislative interims and has jurisdiction over related legislative proposals, operating under Senate committee rules. This is a procedural resolution establishing a committee, not a law changing policy.
Maddy summarySB 149 exempts certain military veterans and their dependents from tuition and fees at West Virginia state colleges and universities. It specifically covers: (1) children/spouses of veterans killed in action or on active duty (including National Guard/reserve members); (2) veterans rated 90%+ service-connected disability (since 9/11); and (3) dependents of those veterans. To qualify, recipients must apply for admission, submit a FAFSA, exhaust other tuition-focused aid, and maintain academic progress. The exemption does not cover lab fees, parking, or other special charges required of all students.