Sen. Vince Deeds

Maddy summarySB 527 creates a new process for courts to offer alternatives to formal conviction, such as community service or treatment programs, for individuals facing certain criminal charges that could result in incarceration or in juvenile abuse and neglect cases. The bill establishes a specific procedure for requesting and reviewing these "pre-adjudicatory alternative dispositions," requiring courts to follow defined steps and documentation, including attaching certified copies of underlying court orders. It adds a new section (§49-4-607a) to West Virginia law and amends related sections to integrate this process into existing legal frameworks. This change directly affects defendants in eligible cases by providing an option to resolve their matter without a formal adjudication.

Maddy summarySB 529 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to create a 15-month pilot program contracting with private companies to provide caseworker aide services. These aides will handle administrative tasks using technology, freeing up child welfare caseworkers to spend more time directly interacting with children and families. The pilot will target districts with high caseloads, persistent staff vacancies, or high rates of children placed in out-of-state foster care. The department must maintain full supervisory control over cases and submit a report to the legislature evaluating the program's impact on caseworker time and outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 525 establishes a two-county pilot program starting October 1, 2026, requiring child protective services (CPS) workers to use mobile devices (like tablets) during child abuse and neglect investigations. The bill mandates that devices must create real-time digital records, securely upload data daily, work with existing systems, and be used in at least 70% of cases in the pilot counties. The Department of Health and Human Resources must analyze monthly quality metrics and submit annual reports to the legislature on the program’s progress. This directly affects CPS workers in the two participating counties and the state department managing child welfare investigations.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 521 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DoHS) to develop and implement a statewide prevention plan by January 1, 2027. The plan must provide trauma-informed, evidence-based services to children under 18 and their families - including those in foster care, with open child welfare cases, aging out of foster care (up to age 21), post-adoption, or transitioning between care levels. DoHS must ensure services are accessible through a mix of physical locations and telehealth, track outcomes, and report annually starting December 2027 on family counts, costs, and regional outcomes (using de-identified data). The bill also directs DoHS to seek federal funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act to maximize state resources for these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special revenue account within West Virginia's Department of Human Services to reduce out-of-state residential placements for children in state care. It establishes a Commission with representatives from child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, education, and court systems to study current placement practices and develop strategies to expand in-state treatment capacity. Key provisions require the Commission to report annually with an implementation plan targeting a 50% reduction in out-of-state placements within three years, while promoting collaboration between agencies through joint funding proposals and improved access to in-state facility data. The bill directly affects children in foster care or juvenile justice systems, their families, and state agencies responsible for their care.

Maddy summarySB 516 sets a new state minimum salary of $50,000 for all West Virginia public school teachers beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, replacing the previous minimum schedule. It also provides a $2,000 annual base salary increase for every teacher and an additional $1,200 annual increase specifically for teachers providing math instruction or special education services. The bill amends the state salary schedule to reflect these changes, ensuring all teachers meet the new $50,000 minimum regardless of experience level or degree. This policy directly affects every public school teacher in West Virginia, with the changes taking effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for local religious organizations that want to disaffiliate from a parent denomination or conference. It requires a two-thirds vote of the local membership to approve disaffiliation and classifies property into three types: real estate (Class A), movable items like furniture (Class B), and financial assets (Class C). Local groups can keep specific real estate parcels if over 50% of the costs for that parcel were raised locally, while parent denominations must provide detailed property accounting within 60 days and prove ownership claims with documentation. The law directly affects local religious groups seeking to leave a denomination and their parent organizations, focusing on how property ownership is determined during separation.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 539 (SB 539) increases compensation rates for panel attorneys and guardians ad litem appointed in West Virginia abuse and neglect cases. The bill amends existing statutes to require detailed time records (in tenths of hours) for services, mandates payment within 45 business days of voucher submission, and establishes clear dispute resolution processes for rejected or reduced payments. It directly affects legal professionals representing vulnerable clients in child welfare and protective services cases. Key provisions include standardized payment timelines, electronic voucher processing, and court-level final authority for payment disputes. The bill focuses on improving payment fairness and efficiency for court-appointed advocates in these critical cases.

Maddy summarySB 438 amends West Virginia law to expand when the Department of Human Services must seek termination of parental rights, including cases where children have been in foster care for 15 of 22 months, parents commit certain violent crimes against children (like murder or sexual abuse), or parents voluntarily stop contact for 18 months (excluding incarceration or treatment). It also modifies improvement periods, allowing courts to grant up to six months for parents to address issues after abuse/neglect findings, with specific court review requirements. The bill directly affects parents facing termination proceedings, children in foster care, and the Department’s procedures for case management. These changes clarify specific triggers and timelines for parental rights termination under state law.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 430 transfers the Office of the State Fire Marshal from the State Fire Commission to the Department of Homeland Security. It sets new qualifications for the State Fire Marshal (requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and six years in fire safety with two years supervising) and for deputy fire marshals (requiring law enforcement certification, with an exemption for those with five years of prior service). The bill clarifies the State Fire Marshal's responsibilities, including enforcing fire safety programs, conducting inspections, and coordinating with fire departments to minimize fire hazards and protect life and property.