Sen. Vince Deeds

Maddy summarySB 434 creates the PEIA Stability and Sustainability Act of 2026 to stabilize West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA), which covers over 200,000 state employees, teachers, public workers, and retirees. It establishes a PEIA Stabilization Reserve Fund funded by 2% of the state's General Revenue each year, sets employer contributions at 82% (minimum 80%) and employee contributions at 18%, and protects retirees by capping premiums at $100/month for those with under $40,000 annual pension income or covering full Medicare Advantage premiums. The bill mandates public transparency for rate changes (with 30-day notice and actuarial justification), creates an independent oversight board with employee and retiree representation, and requires annual accountability reports. These provisions aim to prevent premium spikes, ensure long-term solvency, and maintain affordable coverage for beneficiaries.

Maddy summarySB 439 creates a special fund within West Virginia’s Department of Human Services to expand in-state residential treatment capacity for children in care. It establishes a commission (including agency heads, courts, and service providers) to study current placement practices, reduce out-of-state placements by 10% annually (50% within three years), and identify gaps in in-state services. The bill requires the commission to make annual recommendations on improving collaboration between agencies, developing community-based alternatives, and ensuring cost-effective care. This directly affects children needing residential care, families, and state agencies like DHHS, Behavioral Health, and Juvenile Services. The fund will support implementing these recommendations to keep children in state facilities rather than out-of-state placements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to charge defendants convicted of crimes for up to 30 days of incarceration costs (including time before conviction) in regional jails. Before imposing these costs, a court must hold a hearing to assess the defendant's ability to pay and cannot order payment if it would cause financial hardship. Defendants may later petition for relief from unpaid costs if paying would create hardship for them or their dependents. Any money seized as evidence must be used to cover regional jail costs, regardless of the defendant's financial status.

Maddy summarySB 442 creates a new "homeless education coordinator" position in West Virginia counties designated as "urban" by the State Board of Education. This position will directly assist homeless children and youth in accessing and staying in school by addressing barriers to attendance and enrollment. The bill amends education law to clarify the coordinator's role in supporting homeless students, ensuring they receive necessary services under federal and state education requirements. The coordinator will work within designated urban counties to implement strategies that prevent school disruption for homeless students.

Maddy summarySB 441 requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles to provide free identification documents to homeless U.S. citizens residing at homeless shelters within the state. Eligible individuals - verified through a shelter-affiliated affidavit and proof of citizenship - may receive a free photo ID card, driver's license replacement, or birth certificate. The bill mandates that shelters confirm residency and that applicants use the shelter's address, with the State Registrar verifying citizenship via approved documents like birth certificates or passports. It limits applicants to one document per 30 days and requires the commissioner to create necessary application forms.

Maddy summarySB 431 prohibits the sale, distribution, and advertising of Kratom products designed to resemble or function like electronic cigarettes or vapor devices, directly affecting retailers, manufacturers, and distributors of such products. The bill bans Kratom products marketed for inhalation or packaged to mimic vaping devices (e.g., vape pens), while allowing non-inhaled forms like powders, capsules, or teas. Violations carry fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses and may lead to business license suspension, with prohibited products subject to immediate seizure. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 432 requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles to provide free identification documents (including photo IDs, driver's license replacements, or birth certificates) to homeless U.S. citizens residing in shelters or served by homeless services providers. To qualify, applicants must live at a shelter, use the shelter's address, have a shelter employee verify their homelessness via affidavit, and provide proof of U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate or passport). The bill limits recipients to one document per 30 days and mandates the State Registrar to develop application forms. It directly affects homeless youth and unaccompanied homeless individuals who lack stable housing and cannot afford standard ID fees. The law aims to remove barriers to employment, benefits, and housing stability by ensuring access to essential identification.

Maddy summarySB 435 requires all health insurance plans in West Virginia (including public employee, individual, group, and hospital service plans) to cover oral health medical procedures necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments. This includes procedures related to eating, breathing, speech, or swallowing - such as evaluations, medications, rehabilitation, and dental devices - following treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Coverage applies to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. The bill also mandates annual cost reporting to the legislature one year after implementation.

Maddy summarySB 419 removes statutory limits on staffing for two divisions within West Virginia's State Tax Department. It eliminates the current cap of 12 investigators in the criminal investigation division and the cap of 8 examiners in the special audits division. These changes allow the Tax Department to hire more staff specifically to address non-resident tax compliance, which the bill identifies as having higher noncompliance rates than resident tax matters. The bill does not alter tax laws but enables greater staffing flexibility for enforcement efforts related to taxes, fees, and credits administered under specific sections of state code.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the parole rules for individuals convicted of first-degree murder who receive a life sentence with parole eligibility ("life with mercy"). It requires them to serve a minimum of 30 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. The law directly affects those sentenced under West Virginia Code §61-2-2 for first-degree murder, specifically altering their parole timeline. This policy change eliminates early parole consideration for these offenders, mandating a 30-year minimum term before parole review.