Maddy summarySB 963 requires courts to hold a full adversarial hearing with the respondent present and represented by counsel before issuing a protective order that prohibits firearm possession in domestic violence cases. It mandates that such restrictions can only be imposed if the court finds clear and convincing evidence of an immediate danger (e.g., documented threats or sworn testimony), not as punishment. The bill also requires automatic appeals for respondents within 10 days if firearm restrictions are included in the order. This directly affects individuals facing domestic violence protective orders in West Virginia, changing the process for firearm-related restrictions. The law aims to balance safety concerns with due process by setting higher evidentiary standards before restricting gun access.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 805 adds "abortion pill reversal" to West Virginia's Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program, allowing funding for this service through eligible pregnancy help organizations. The bill defines "abortion pill reversal" as using progesterone to counteract the abortion pill (mifepristone) and specifies that only organizations that do not support or perform abortions can receive program funds for this purpose. Abortion industry organizations are explicitly excluded from receiving these funds. This is a procedural change to the existing program's funding eligibility, not a new law restricting abortion access.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to specifically prohibit transporting telecommunications devices (like cell phones) into correctional facilities, including federal prisons. It increases penalties for delivering such devices to inmates or unauthorizedly bringing them onto facility grounds, with felony charges carrying fines up to $5,000 or up to 10 years in prison, and misdemeanor charges for lesser violations. The law directly affects visitors, family members, staff, or others attempting to bring devices into jails or prisons without authorization. It expands existing restrictions by explicitly naming telecommunications devices and updating their definition within the legal framework.
Maddy summarySB 937, or "Kyneddi’s Law," establishes a pilot program to transition child welfare case management from the state Bureau for Social Services to private community-based providers in specific West Virginia counties. Starting in 2028, the pilot will cover Berkeley, Jefferson, Summers, Raleigh, Fayette, and Monroe counties, with full statewide implementation planned for 2029. The bill requires the state to contract with qualified private providers to manage cases after initial investigations, using a risk-based payment model where providers can retain savings from improved outcomes but cover costs exceeding set rates. The Bureau retains authority for investigations, safety decisions, and court involvement, while providers handle case management, service coordination, and placement oversight under defined standards. This directly affects children in foster care, their families, and community providers delivering services.
Maddy summarySB 67 amends West Virginia law to update rules for public charter schools. It requires charter schools to charge only fees similar to noncharter public schools (not full tuition), shifts student tracking responsibility to the county school district when a student returns from a charter school, and allows non-certified teachers to proctor state assessments. The bill also permits charter school boards to remove members, lets schools amend applications anytime, and enables partnerships with learning pods/microschools - allowing colleges to establish virtual or campus-based microschools. These changes directly affect charter schools, county school districts, and educators managing student enrollment and staffing.
Maddy summarySB 804 exempts middle and high school students participating in extracurricular sports in "good standing" from mandatory physical education requirements. Specifically, students listed by their coach at the end of each sport season are not required to complete the standard PE classes for that school year (middle school: daily PE for one semester; high school: a full credit for graduation). The bill directly affects athletes who maintain coach-determined good standing in sports. It does not alter overall PE requirements but creates this specific exemption based on athletic participation. The change applies to students in grades 6-12 who meet the coach's criteria during their sport season.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new felony offense for indecent exposure committed in front of minors and requires individuals convicted of this crime to register as sex offenders. The legislation defines indecent exposure as exposing one's nude penis, vagina, or anus and includes undressing in opposite-sex locker rooms as a violation while removing exemptions for breastfeeding. Penalties increase with repeat offenses, and the new crime counts as a qualifying offense for recidivist sentencing enhancements. The bill also clarifies that registration requirements apply retroactively to past convictions involving these offenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense called "child torture" in West Virginia law, targeting caregivers, parents, or others with a duty of protection who intentionally or recklessly subject a child under their care to severe physical or psychological acts. It defines torture as including acts like breaking limbs, inflicting prolonged pain, depriving food/water for unreasonable periods, sexual abuse, or terrorizing the child to cause significant emotional distress. The bill establishes felony penalties: 1-5 years in prison if no bodily injury occurs, and 2-10 years if bodily injury results. It directly affects individuals in positions of trust over children, such as parents, guardians, or custodians, by imposing specific criminal consequences for documented severe abuse.
Maddy summarySB 715 requires West Virginia state agencies and appointing authorities to give first consideration to U.S. military veterans and retired or disabled law enforcement officers during the hiring process for state positions. The bill amends the state's civil service law (§29-6-7) to mandate that these candidates be prioritized in the initial review of job applicants. This policy change applies to all state agency hiring decisions, meaning these groups will be evaluated before others in the selection process. The bill does not guarantee employment but ensures these applicants receive preferential treatment during the early stages of hiring.
Maddy summarySB 669 clarifies when West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) can approve utility rate increases and requires a biennial review of these increases. It directly affects utilities, particularly small municipal water/sewer systems serving fewer than 4,500 customers or with under $3 million in annual revenue, and their wholesale/resale customers. Key provisions include: a 30-day window for customers to file rate complaints after municipal changes, a 120-day resolution deadline for the PSC, and a requirement that rate increases must be supported by evidence showing costs are fairly matched to benefits received by customers. The bill also restricts the PSC from ordering refunds for rates collected during complaint proceedings unless specific refund conditions apply.