Maddy summarySB 396 creates the West Virginia Job Training and Placement Act, allowing certified retailers (specifically "workforce training community centers" meeting strict criteria) to keep 75% of sales tax revenue collected after their first $1 million in annual sales. These retailers must use the retained funds exclusively to provide job training and placement services for people facing barriers to employment, such as disabilities, criminal records, homelessness, or low education. The law requires certified organizations to serve at least three people per $10,000 retained, with an average of 2.25 successful job placements, and to monitor job retention for 90 days. Certification lasts three years, with renewal possible, and organizations must report usage to the state Department of Revenue.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia to own medical practices and have ownership stakes in healthcare businesses, which was previously prohibited. It removes restrictions preventing PAs from having a "proprietary interest" in practices they refer patients to and permits medical corporations to have PA shareholders. The bill also updates the state’s legal definition of "physician assistant" to align with the American Academy of Physician Associates and classifies PA services as a "professional service" under limited liability company laws. These changes directly affect PAs seeking practice ownership and impact how medical corporations structure ownership.
Maddy summarySB 635, the Mountain Bike Responsibility Act, requires commercial trail operators in West Virginia to implement specific safety signage and trail markings. It mandates operators to display trail network maps at key locations, mark trails by difficulty level (using industry-standard colors/symbols), and clearly indicate closed trails at trailheads and intersections. The bill applies directly to commercial entities operating mountain bike trails and aerial tramways, defining their duties while clarifying that mountain bikers assume inherent sport risks. Currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee (introduced January 28, 2026), this bill establishes operational standards but does not alter existing liability laws for injuries.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 16) designates January 27, 2026, as "Civil Air Patrol Day" at the West Virginia Legislature. It formally recognizes the West Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a volunteer organization supporting homeland security, search and rescue, and youth education programs. The resolution commends CAP members for their service and directs the Senate Clerk to forward the resolution to CAP leadership. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy or funding impact - it solely honors CAP's contributions.
Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 612 designates November 7 as "Victims of Communism Day" for public schools, requiring high school students in the mandated U.S. Government class to receive at least 45 minutes of annual instruction on this topic. The bill specifies instruction must cover historical communist regimes (including Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, Stalin's Soviet system, and others) and how victims suffered through poverty, violence, and suppression. It directs the State Board of Education to revise social studies standards by April 2026 to include these requirements. The observance applies to all public schools, with make-up days if November 7 falls on a non-school day. This bill directly affects West Virginia public school students and educators in required U.S. Government courses.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a law, designating January 27, 2026, as "West Virginia Banker’s Day" at the legislature. It recognizes the banking industry’s economic role in West Virginia, citing its employment of nearly 8,000 residents, 570 branch locations, and $2 billion in annual business loans. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply authorizes the legislature to formally acknowledge the industry’s contributions on that date. It directly affects the banking sector and the West Virginia Bankers Association, which will receive a copy of the resolution.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 12 designates January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in West Virginia. The resolution recognizes human trafficking as a global crime affecting people of all backgrounds and highlights the need for public awareness. It references West Virginia's existing "YOU CAN" initiative and encourages residents to learn about trafficking through resources like the See, Send app. This is a symbolic resolution focused on raising public awareness, not creating new laws or policies.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 13) designates January 23, 2026, as "Dental Hygienists Day" at the West Virginia Capitol. It commemorates dental hygienists' contributions to public health in West Virginia, recognizing their work in prevention, treatment, and care for vulnerable populations. The resolution specifically acknowledges dental hygienists from West Virginia colleges (BridgeValley Community and Technical College, West Liberty University, and West Virginia University) and directs the Senate Clerk to share the resolution with the West Virginia Dental Hygienists Association. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes.
Maddy summarySB 428 creates three new job classifications for school bus operators in West Virginia: Bus Operator I, Bus Operator II, and Bus Operator III, replacing the single existing title. The bill establishes specific pay grades for each new classification and increases the pay grade for cafeteria managers. These changes directly affect school bus operators and cafeteria managers employed by county school boards. The bill amends existing state code sections governing service personnel pay scales and job classifications.
Maddy summarySB 568, the Oral Health and Cancer Rights Act, requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover medically necessary dental procedures directly related to cancer treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation). This affects cancer patients needing dental care to eat, breathe, speak, or swallow after treatment, and all health benefit plans offered by insurers in the state. The bill mandates that covered services must be billed using the specific modifier "West Virginia Code §33-64-1" (or a unique prescription identifier for medications), ensuring insurers recognize these procedures as covered. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, applying to all nonexempt health insurance contracts.