Sen. Vince Deeds

Maddy summarySB 944 expands West Virginia's law enforcement authority to include 20 additional categories of federal officers, such as FBI agents, IRS special agents, and Border Patrol officers, who may enforce state laws under specific conditions. These officers can act when requested by state/local agencies, during emergencies involving imminent danger, or when witnessing a felony. The bill explicitly excludes enforcement of traffic laws and parking ordinances, and clarifies that these federal officers remain federal employees - not state law enforcement personnel - and cannot conduct independent investigations. This policy change aims to enhance coordination between federal and state agencies during joint operations or emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1038) increases salaries by 15% for three specific positions at the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review: Chief Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Law Judge 1, and Administrative Law Judge 2. The adjustment applies to salary levels effective when the bill takes effect and is separate from other 2026 budget salary changes. The stated purpose is to help ensure unemployment compensation hearings occur in a timely manner. The funding for this increase is exempt from standard budget constraints, and the law explicitly states it creates no legal liability for implementation.

Maddy summarySB 947 requires the West Virginia State Registrar to provide free certified birth certificates to homeless individuals under 18. It defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (including stays in shelters, temporary institutions, or non-residential places) and mandates the State Registrar to issue copies upon application and proof of homelessness. The bill also updates fee structures for other birth certificate copies, directing some fees to a Vital Statistics Improvement Fund. This policy change directly affects homeless minors in West Virginia seeking essential identification for services like school enrollment or healthcare.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia's education code to redefine the term "long-term substitute" for public school personnel. The bill does not specify the new definition in the provided text, only stating it will amend §18A-1-1 to clarify this term. It affects school personnel categories, particularly those filling substitute teaching roles. The bill was introduced on February 23, 2026, and referred to education committees. (Note: The actual redefinition is not included in the provided bill text.)

Maddy summarySB 1026 creates a new criminal offense for disturbing lawful meetings, specifically increasing penalties when the disruption targets religious worship gatherings. It defines prohibited acts like obstructing meetings or making displays that outrage a group's sensibilities. Violations become a felony if committed to disrupt religious worship at tax-exempt places (including virtual meetings via video/teleconferencing), otherwise remaining a misdemeanor. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious services or gatherings, with enhanced penalties applying specifically to religious contexts. This is a policy change establishing concrete criminal penalties for targeted disruptions of religious activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows volunteer fire departments in West Virginia to submit their required audit documents electronically instead of on paper. It amends existing law to require the Legislative Auditor to accept electronic submissions for all financial review paperwork related to these departments. The change directly affects all volunteer fire companies that undergo mandatory financial reviews under state law. The bill does not alter the frequency, scope, or requirements of the audits themselves - only the method of document submission.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows doctors in West Virginia to legally prescribe, distribute, and market specific forms of psilocybin once the FDA approves it and the DEA reschedules it. It amends state pharmacy laws to remove barriers for FDA-approved crystalline polymorph psilocybin products, aligning state regulations with federal decisions. The law applies only to pharmaceutical compositions of psilocybin that meet federal approval standards, not to raw or unapproved forms of the substance. Healthcare providers and pharmacies would be able to handle these medications under existing prescription drug frameworks once federal requirements are met.

Maddy summarySB 54 amends West Virginia law to establish clear criminal penalties for caregivers who abuse or neglect incapacitated adults. It directly affects caregivers (including facilities and individuals responsible for care) and incapacitated adults aged 18+ who cannot perform daily life activities due to age or disability. The bill creates tiered penalties: misdemeanors for basic neglect/abuse (fines up to $500 or 1 year jail), and felonies for severe harm (fines up to $5,000 and prison terms of 2-15 years), including removing the "malice" requirement for felony charges when death occurs. Key provisions define abuse, neglect, and "incapacitated adult," while explicitly excluding cases involving religious treatment choices or legally authorized medical decisions.

Maddy summarySB 200 creates new criminal penalties for harming police dogs and other public safety animals trained to assist officers. It establishes three offense levels: misdemeanor fines ($200-$1,000) for physical injury, felony fines ($1,000-$3,000) or prison (1-5 years) for serious injury, and felony fines ($2,000-$5,000) or prison (2-10 years) for causing death. The bill explicitly exempts public safety officers who euthanize injured animals in their official duties and allows self-defense claims when protecting such animals. It also requires court-ordered restitution for convicted offenders and designates these offenses as qualifying for enhanced sentencing under recidivist laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 197) amends West Virginia law to explicitly include "attempt" as a criminal offense under the existing statute for sexual abuse by caregivers. It makes it a felony for parents, guardians, custodians, or others in positions of trust to attempt sexual abuse of a child in their care, with penalties of 10-20 years in prison for attempts involving children under 16. The change aligns penalties for attempted abuse with those for completed abuse, ensuring individuals who try to commit such acts face the same criminal consequences as those who succeed. This directly affects caregivers who attempt sexual misconduct with children under their supervision.