Sen. Robbie Morris

Maddy summarySB 481 amends West Virginia law to explicitly permit off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in public schools and school events. This change directly affects off-duty officers (including those with active law enforcement credentials) and public schools, clarifying that they are exempt from existing restrictions that prohibit weapons on school grounds. The bill modifies the exemption language in §61-7-11a(b)(2)(A) to specifically include "off duty" officers, removing ambiguity about whether current exemptions cover them. It does not change restrictions for civilians or other personnel, maintaining the existing prohibition for non-exempt individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover medically necessary dental procedures directly related to cancer treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy. It specifically covers services like exams, medications, dental devices, and rehabilitation needed to restore functions like eating, speaking, or swallowing after cancer care. Insurers must use a unique billing code ("West Virginia Code §33-64-1") for these services, with prescriptions for covered medications using a designated identifier. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to most health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act.

Maddy summarySB 142, the Mountain Bike Responsibility Act, requires commercial trail operators in West Virginia to follow specific safety and liability protocols for mountain biking. It mandates operators to mark trail difficulty, maintain emergency response plans, and post a clear warning notice stating that mountain bikers assume inherent risks (including injury or death) and must take precautions to avoid harm. The bill applies only to commercial entities operating mountain bike trails (excluding public or non-profit organizations) and specifies that operators aren't liable for injuries caused by natural terrain features, equipment failure, or other inherent risks. Key provisions include standardized trail signage, emergency response requirements, and a mandatory liability waiver notice at trail entrances.

Maddy summarySB 258 amends West Virginia's Teachers Retirement System to allow members who joined on or after July 1, 2015, to convert their accrued annual and sick leave into additional retirement service credit. Specifically, each day of accrued leave counts as one day of service credit toward calculating retirement benefits. This change directly affects newer public school teachers in the system by increasing their retirement benefits based on unused leave. The bill modifies §5-16-13 of the West Virginia Code to implement this conversion, providing a concrete policy change without altering health insurance provisions.

Maddy summarySJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Bill of Rights, explicitly protecting the right to keep and bear arms. It prohibits state, county, municipal, and local government entities from restricting this right through regulations on ammunition capacity, caliber, carry methods, or other means. The amendment would require voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. If adopted, it would directly affect all West Virginians by preventing local and state governments from enacting most gun-related regulations.