Sen. Darren Thorne

Maddy summarySB 40 (Providing veterinarian and veterinary technician reciprocity) allows licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians from other U.S. states to practice in West Virginia without repeating full licensing requirements, provided they hold an active, good-standing license in their home state for at least five years. The bill amends West Virginia law to permit the Board of Veterinary Medicine to issue licenses based on reciprocity, requiring applicants to submit proof of continuous good standing and no disciplinary actions. It directly affects licensed veterinary professionals seeking to work across state lines without re-taking exams or completing additional training. The bill does not change existing licensing standards for new applicants but streamlines practice for those already qualified in other states.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 19 prohibits foreign governments and entities from designated countries (like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) from purchasing or acquiring title to real property in West Virginia, with key exceptions for U.S. citizens/residents, primary residences, and short-term leases (under 5 years). It requires existing foreign-owned properties to be sold within 180 days and mandates owners to file property details with the Department of Agriculture within 60 days. The West Virginia Attorney General enforces the law through investigations, court actions to divest property, and civil penalties. This bill directly affects foreign governments, entities controlled by them, and individuals from designated countries seeking to own real estate in West Virginia.

Maddy summarySB 154 prohibits public schools from teaching about sexual orientation as part of their curriculum. The law directly affects public school students and educators in the state where it passed, banning instruction on sexual orientation in classrooms. Key provisions require schools to remove any content related to sexual orientation from required lessons. This law became effective on April 30, 2025, after being approved by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 621 authorizes state courts to create and maintain digital copies of court records instead of relying solely on paper documents. It directly affects courts, court staff, and individuals involved in legal proceedings who interact with court records. The key provision allows courts to implement digital record-keeping systems, streamlining access and storage while maintaining legal validity. The bill was approved by the Governor on April 1, 2025, and became law as Chapter 70 of the 2025 regular session.

Maddy summarySB 765 establishes the Troops-to-Teachers Program to help military veterans transition into teaching careers. The law directly affects veterans seeking to become licensed teachers by waiving certain state licensing requirements and providing support services. Key provisions include streamlined certification processes, tuition assistance for education programs, and partnerships with school districts to place qualified veterans. The program became effective upon the governor's approval on April 30, 2025, as Chapter 90 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summarySB 275 removes the requirement that school cooks and custodians in public schools must possess a high school diploma or equivalent credential. This change directly affects school support staff hiring, allowing districts to hire based on skills and experience rather than educational qualifications. The law updates state hiring standards for these roles, effective as of its enactment on April 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 10 exempts specific meat processing activities from state sales tax, directly affecting meat processors who handle certain types of meat (like grinding or curing). The bill removes the tax requirement for these defined processes, making them tax-free under current law. This is a procedural tax exemption change with no new fees or requirements for businesses.

Maddy summarySB 199 amends West Virginia law to improve how schools address student behavior in elementary settings (K-6). It requires county school boards to partner with licensed behavioral health agencies or create alternative learning centers for students with disruptive behavior, and mandates that these students meet regularly with school social workers or behavioral specialists to develop transition plans back to regular classrooms. The bill also sets specific protocols for K-6 teachers who observe violent, threatening, or intimidating behavior that disrupts learning, requiring them to follow defined steps before exclusion. Additionally, it requires school staff to receive training on alternatives to traditional discipline and clarifies that these changes align with federal law.

Maddy summarySB 280 requires all public schools in the state to display the official U.S. motto, "In God We Trust," in a prominent location within each school building. This policy directly affects every public K-12 school in the state, mandating the physical display of the motto as part of school decor. The key provision specifies that the motto must be visible in a location easily accessible to students and staff, without requiring specific formatting or additional signage. The bill became law on April 29, 2025, after approval by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 459 requires all members of county planning commissions to be residents of the state of [State Name], not just the county or city. This change directly affects county planning commissions and their members, replacing previous local residency requirements with a statewide standard. The bill’s key provision mandates that commission members must live in the state at the time of appointment or election. It became law on August 8, 2025, after receiving final approval from the Governor on April 24, 2025. This policy change ensures state-wide representation on local planning bodies.