Sen. Jack Woodrum

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 7 creates a new felony crime for knowingly and willfully desecrating a deceased human body where the death resulted from criminal activity. It defines "desecrate" as physically damaging, mutilating, or otherwise mistreating a body in a way that would outrage reasonable observers. Violators face 2-10 years in prison (served consecutively) and fines of $2,000-$10,000. The law excludes medical professionals acting within their lawful professional duties, as covered under existing medical regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals convicted of a felony in West Virginia to provide a DNA sample to law enforcement. The collected DNA must be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and compared against evidence from other open criminal cases. Refusing to provide a DNA sample is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100. The law applies to all felony convicts and is enforced by local law enforcement officers.

Maddy summarySB 232 repeals the provision allowing the West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner to increase certain fees through administrative rules or regulations. This change means the Commissioner can no longer adjust these specific fees via rulemaking, requiring any future fee increases to be approved by the state legislature instead. The bill directly affects the Commissioner's regulatory authority and the process for modifying agricultural-related fees. It does not alter current fee levels but shifts decision-making power to the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 190 increases the retirement benefit multiplier for deputy sheriffs in West Virginia from 2.5% to 3% of their final average salary, multiplied by their years of credited service. This change directly affects current and future members of the Deputy Sheriff Retirement System who retire on or after July 1, 2018. The bill amends the existing retirement formula to provide a higher benefit percentage without altering contribution rates or eligibility rules. This policy change results in larger monthly retirement payments for qualifying deputy sheriffs based on their salary and service length.

Maddy summarySB 229, the West Virginia Sexual Assault Survivors' Child Protection Act, protects children conceived during sexual assault and their mothers by ending perpetrators' legal parental rights. The bill requires courts to terminate a perpetrator's parental rights if a child was conceived through sexual assault, while still mandating child support payments unless the survivor waives them. It also creates a faster court process to minimize survivors' contact with perpetrators and ensures privacy and safety during proceedings. The bill directs state agencies to develop guidelines for filing petitions, holding hearings, and providing support services to affected survivors and children.

Maddy summarySB 193 clarifies how West Virginia deputy sheriffs earn annual salary supplements based on their years of service. It specifies that deputies receive $5 multiplied by each month of service annually (e.g., $60 after 12 months), with existing more favorable supplements remaining in effect. The supplement is only payable after completing a full year of service and counts toward retirement benefits. This bill directly affects deputy sheriffs in West Virginia by standardizing the calculation method for their service-based pay increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding flexibility for West Virginia's Water Development Authority by raising the annual transfer limit to its Critical Needs and Failing Systems Sub Account from $12 million to $14 million. It allows projects to qualify for funding if they address immediate water/wastewater service failures (up to $3 million total cost), extend service to new customers (up to $3 million), or upgrade existing facilities to reduce maintenance, operational costs, or leaks (up to $300,000 total cost). The changes directly affect communities with aging or failing water infrastructure, enabling them to secure grants for repairs and efficiency upgrades. The bill modifies specific cost caps and removes certain grant restrictions that previously applied to this fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 235) requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to collect a photograph and specific personal information (like name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number digits) during driver's license applications or renewals. Unless an applicant explicitly declines, the DMV must send this information to the Secretary of State for voter registration processing. The Secretary of State then forwards it to county clerks to update or register voters, using the applicant's electronic signature as consent. It streamlines voter registration by linking it to DMV transactions, with provisions to maintain confidentiality and allow applicants to opt out. The bill does not change voter eligibility rules or require DMV to verify voter status.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 30 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover medically necessary treatment for congenital cleft lip and cleft palate anomalies. This applies to individuals under 19 years old, ensuring coverage for necessary medical services related to these conditions. The bill amends existing insurance mandates to explicitly include this treatment under required benefits, aligning it with other covered care like mental health services. It does not specify particular procedures but mandates coverage when deemed medically necessary by a physician. This policy change directly affects children and young adults with these birth anomalies and their insurance providers.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 226 prohibits the use of ranked choice voting (where voters rank candidates by preference) in all elections for local, state, and federal offices in West Virginia. It bans state, county, and local election offices from implementing this voting method and voids any conflicting local government ordinance. The bill applies to every election, including those for county commissions, mayors, school boards, and state legislative seats. This change eliminates ranked choice voting as an option in all elections conducted within the state.