Sen. Mike Oliverio

Maddy summarySB 715 restricts retirement systems from sharing personally identifiable information about their members, retirees, beneficiaries, or alternate payees without the individual's consent. It limits disclosure of this information to third parties, such as employers or other organizations, to protect sensitive personal data. The law directly affects individuals participating in state retirement systems and requires systems to handle this information securely. Enacted in 2025, it strengthens privacy safeguards for retirement system users.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting or battering athletic officials or participants in West Virginia. It classifies such acts as misdemeanors with specific fines ($250-$500 for assault, $500-$1,000 for battery) and jail terms (5-6 months for assault, 10-12 months for battery). School boards can ban convicted offenders from all school sports events for at least one year, requiring written notice of the ban. Violating this ban is treated as trespassing under existing law.

Maddy summarySB 483 increases civil penalties for political committees that fail to file required campaign finance reports or submit grossly incomplete/inaccurate reports. For the first violation, penalties rise from $10 per day (capped at $500) to a flat $500 maximum. For subsequent violations in the same election cycle, penalties jump to $1,000 per report. The bill requires the Secretary of State to provide written notice with a 7-10 day cure period before imposing fines, allows installment payment plans, and refers unpaid penalties to debt collectors after 30 days. This directly affects candidates, political committees, and their financial officers who manage campaign disclosures.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 50 is a non-binding request to the federal government to study and implement waterway restoration projects in West Virginia. The resolution specifically asks federal agencies to evaluate and act on debris removal, river bed stabilization, and restoration of natural water flow patterns to address existing flooding damage and prevent future flooding. It was prompted by historic flooding in West Virginia during winter and spring 2025, which left streams and rivers filled with debris that continues to damage property and infrastructure. The resolution requests federal action to mitigate these issues and reduce future recovery costs. This resolution is addressed to President Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk, in his alleged capacity as a special government employee.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the definition of "electioneering" near polling places in West Virginia. It prohibits campaign signs, solicitation of votes, and distribution of campaign materials within 100 feet of polling entrances (including during early voting), while exempting news media exit polling, bumper stickers on parked vehicles, and non-advocacy educational materials. It permits voters to use cell phones to view candidate lists or ballot questions inside polling places, bans photography/videography in voting areas (except for law enforcement investigations), and maintains the 100-foot buffer zone for electioneering. The law applies directly to voters, poll workers, candidates, and election officials during voting hours.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 911 creates a new "adjunct teaching permit" for individuals with a bachelor's degree and relevant experience, allowing them to fill vacant teaching positions, launch new classes, or supplement existing programs only when no certified teacher in that subject is available and willing to take the role. Adjunct teachers must complete specific training, be paired with a mentor, and cannot teach special education. County schools can set their own pay and benefits with the adjunct teacher, and must report adjunct hires to the state education department while posting openings publicly. This bill directly affects school districts hiring adjunct staff and the teachers seeking those positions.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 47) adopted on April 9, 2025, recognizing Brady Campbell as the 2024 recipient of the Earl S. Dillard Agent of the Year Award. The resolution honors Campbell for his professional achievements in West Virginia's insurance industry and community service, as presented by the Independent Insurance Agents of West Virginia. It does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally commends his leadership and contributions. The Senate passed it unanimously via voice vote on the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summarySB 585, the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act, requires all West Virginia high school and middle school student athletes participating in football practices to use impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers starting July 1, 2026 (Section 18-36-4). The bill establishes a Student Athlete Safety Advisory Committee (composed of education, health, and sports medicine experts) to evaluate safety protocols, equipment, and injury data, and make recommendations to improve athlete safety (Section 18-36-3). It also creates the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program to provide funding for schools to purchase required or additional safety equipment, administered through a dedicated grant fund (Sections 18-36-6 and 18-36-7). The law directly affects all student athletes in West Virginia interscholastic sports, with immediate focus on football safety equipment standards.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates April 8, 2025, as "Child Care Day" at the West Virginia Legislature to honor the state's child care providers. It recognizes their role in supporting families, preparing young children, and contributing to the workforce through their commitment to quality early childhood education. The resolution directs the Clerk to send a copy to the West Virginia Association for Young Children. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policies or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's Medicaid program and the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) to cover doula services for eligible individuals. It defines a doula as a non-medical professional providing continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period (from confirmed conception through 365 days after delivery). The law mandates minimum visit requirements for prenatal and postpartum care, establishes specific billing protocols, and requires the Department of Human Services to submit a state plan amendment by a set deadline to implement this coverage. It directly affects low-income pregnant individuals enrolled in Medicaid or PEIA who would now have access to doula support as part of their maternity benefits.