Sen. Vince Deeds

Maddy summarySB 198 prohibits the creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography, specifically targeting AI-generated content that depicts minors. The law applies directly to individuals or entities involved in producing, sharing, or holding such material, including through artificial intelligence tools. It establishes new criminal penalties for violations, with specific enforcement mechanisms outlined in the statute. The bill became effective on August 8, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 240 updates the legal definition of sexual extortion to explicitly include threats to share intimate images or private information as a form of coercion. This change directly affects victims of such threats and law enforcement, making it a clearer criminal offense when someone pressures another person into sexual acts by threatening to disclose private content. The key provision broadens the scope of sexual extortion beyond physical threats, ensuring that digital coercion tactics are treated as serious criminal conduct under existing law.

Maddy summarySB 844 exempts non-native quail and partridge raised for agricultural purposes from needing a license to operate a private game farm. The bill amends West Virginia law to clarify that these birds, when kept for meat or egg production (like other domesticated poultry), are not subject to the game farm licensing requirement. This exemption applies only to birds used for agricultural activities - such as breeding for food production - excluding birds intended for release into the wild. The change reduces regulatory burden for farmers raising these birds as part of commercial agricultural operations.

Maddy summarySB 196, "Lauren's Law," increases penalties for fentanyl-related crimes to up to 15 years in prison or $50,000 fines, and creates a new offense for drug delivery resulting in death when money or valuables are exchanged. It also prohibits probation or alternative sentencing for certain drug convictions, including those involving fentanyl or drug-related deaths. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of controlled substances offenses in West Virginia, particularly those involving fentanyl, fatal overdoses, or drug trafficking. These changes modify existing sentencing structures under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act without creating new offenses for general possession.

Maddy summarySB 537 establishes the WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program, providing direct support to low-income pregnant women and new mothers in West Virginia. The program, administered by the state health department, offers prenatal care, nutrition assistance, and social services to eligible individuals. It creates a new state-funded initiative to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The bill became law after approval by the governor on April 30, 2025, and was enacted as Chapter 203 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summarySB 291 changes the requirement for pharmacies to register with the state from once a year to once every two years. This directly affects all pharmacies operating in the state that must maintain active registration with the licensing authority. The key provision extends the registration period from annual to biennial, reducing the frequency of renewal filings. The law became effective on August 8, 2025, after being signed by the governor in March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 270 declares that the sale and manufacture of firearms are essential businesses during any declared emergency. This directly affects firearm dealers, manufacturers, and distributors, ensuring they can continue operating when other non-essential businesses may be required to close. The bill requires emergency orders issued by the governor or local authorities to explicitly include firearm businesses as essential, preventing them from being shut down during crises like natural disasters or public health emergencies. It became law on April 25, 2025, as Chapter 241 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summarySB 652 expands existing cardiac arrest emergency response requirements to apply specifically to elementary schools. This law requires all elementary schools to implement standardized procedures for responding to cardiac emergencies, including access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and staff training. The bill directly affects elementary schools across the state by mandating these safety protocols for student and staff health. Enacted as Chapter 88 of the 2025 Regular Session, it builds upon prior provisions that previously applied only to higher grade levels.

Maddy summarySB 617 defines "gang" as any group of three or more people engaging in specific crimes, and creates new criminal penalties for gang membership and recruitment. It makes joining a gang or assisting in gang-related crimes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $25,000 fine, separate from the underlying crimes. The bill also adds penalties for intimidating witnesses in gang-related cases, with up to 10 years in prison. This law directly affects individuals who join gangs or recruit others, targeting ongoing criminal activity under West Virginia's Anti-Organized Criminal Enterprise Act.

Maddy summarySB 722 creates a tax credit program for West Virginia short line railroads (Class II or III railroads or rail siding owners) to fund infrastructure improvements. Eligible companies can claim a 50% tax credit for qualified maintenance costs (capped at $5,000 per mile of track) or new infrastructure projects (capped at $2 million per project or $5 million annually). Credits can be used against state taxes, carried forward for up to five years, or transferred to other taxpayers. The bill directly affects rail operators in West Virginia seeking to modernize tracks, sidings, or safety infrastructure.