Sen. Jack Woodrum

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health to implement an existing rule (64 CSR 29) governing fatality and mortality review teams. It does not create new policy but formally approves the Department's previously proposed rule for these review teams. The rule directly affects how the Department of Health oversees teams that analyze deaths to identify patterns and improve public health responses. This is a procedural authorization, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summarySB 698 requires movie theater exhibitors operating six or more locations across multiple sites in West Virginia to provide open captioning for at least two showings per week of any film that includes open captioning in its production. It also mandates that theaters offer audio description upon request for films produced with audio description. The law excludes drive-in theaters and prohibits requiring exhibitors to purchase new equipment if it would create an undue burden or alter their business operations. This bill directly affects large theater chains in West Virginia, aiming to improve accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing moviegoers.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 699 prohibits any entity - including individuals, companies, or government bodies - from conducting geoengineering activities like weather modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, or cloud seeding within or over West Virginia. The bill defines "geoengineering" as the intentional release of atmospheric contaminants (such as aerosols or chemicals) that could harm human health, the environment, or agriculture. It requires the West Virginia Department for Environmental Protection to investigate credible reports of violations, issue immediate cessation orders, and pursue penalties for noncompliance. This law directly affects any party engaging in these activities in the state, with enforcement focused on preventing atmospheric pollution from such experiments.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 331 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DHS) to implement certification standards for recovery residences - facilities providing substance use disorder support, such as sober living homes. The bill specifically approves a revised legislative rule (69 CSR 15) that DHS developed after addressing committee feedback, establishing requirements these facilities must meet to operate. This rule directly affects recovery residences by setting mandatory certification criteria for safety, staffing, and services, ensuring they meet state standards. The bill itself does not create new laws but formally authorizes DHS to enforce these existing certification requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health to implement an existing rule (64 CSR 48) governing emergency medical services. It formally approves a rule filed on August 27, 2024, that the Department had previously proposed under existing law. The bill does not change the rule's content but provides legislative authorization for its enforcement. This procedural measure directly affects the Department of Health and emergency medical service providers operating under the rule.

Maddy summarySB 700 repeals Section 11-8-6e of West Virginia law, which previously governed how property tax increases from appraisals affected regular levy rates and required public hearings. This bill removes a specific provision that mandated local governments to adjust tax rates or hold public hearings when property appraisals led to higher tax bills. It directly affects property tax assessment procedures across West Virginia by eliminating this requirement. The repeal is procedural, with no new policy changes, simply removing an existing administrative rule from state code.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health to implement and enforce a specific regulatory rule (64 CSR 110) governing medical cannabis growers and processors. It does not create new policy but formally approves an existing rule that was filed with the State Register on August 30, 2024. The rule directly affects licensed medical cannabis businesses involved in growing and processing cannabis for the state's medical program. This is a procedural measure to finalize regulatory authority, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Office of Inspector General to implement an existing rule (71 CSR 25) governing behavioral health centers' licensure in West Virginia. It specifically approves a rule modified after review by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, which was originally filed in August 2024 and refiled in November 2024. The bill does not change the rule's content but formally authorizes its use for licensure requirements. This procedural action directly affects behavioral health centers seeking or maintaining licensure under West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health to implement a revised regulatory rule (64 CSR 27) for the statewide trauma and emergency care system. It specifically approves the rule after the Department modified it to address objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee and refiled it in November 2024. The rule directly affects hospitals, emergency medical services, and healthcare providers operating within the state's trauma care network. The bill does not create new policy but formally authorizes the existing regulatory framework to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes West Virginia's Office of Inspector General to implement a specific rule (71 CSR 12) governing hospital licensure. It directly affects hospitals seeking or maintaining licensure in West Virginia and the Office of Inspector General, which will enforce the rule. The rule, previously drafted and modified after committee feedback, outlines requirements for hospital licensing procedures. The bill formally approves this existing rule, making it official without creating new requirements or altering hospital operations.