Sen. Tom Willis

Maddy summarySB 540 requires Child Protective Services (CPS) workers in West Virginia to wear body-worn cameras during investigations of child abuse or neglect, but only after obtaining consent from the person being investigated in private settings where privacy is expected. CPS workers may skip using the camera if it would compromise a child's privacy or hinder the investigation, but they must document the reason in the case file. All audio and video recordings must be kept confidential, stored until all appeals are resolved, and treated as part of the official child welfare record, not subject to public disclosure. This bill directly affects CPS workers and individuals involved in child welfare investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit scholarship program. Specifically, the Treasurer must annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations operating in the state by December 1st, accept applications year-round for inclusion on this list, and certify the list for federal submission. It defines eligible schools (meeting existing WV requirements) and students (eligible for public school enrollment), allowing scholarship funds to cover standard K-12 education expenses under federal rules. The bill directly affects the State Treasurer's office, scholarship organizations seeking to participate, and students receiving scholarships under the program.

Maddy summarySB 1029 requires West Virginia child protective services (CPS) workers to provide parents with plain-language statements of their rights at the start of an investigation. The bill mandates two specific documents: a "Plain-Language Statement of Immediate Rights" (covering rights like home privacy, refusing entry, and services) and a "Plain-Language Statement of Ongoing Rights" (covering confidentiality, file access, and appeal processes), both written in clear, 8th-grade level English. These documents must be provided on the first contact during a CPS investigation and documented in the case record. The bill directly affects parents involved in CPS cases by ensuring they receive accessible information about their legal rights throughout the process. It does not change CPS procedures but standardizes how rights are communicated to parents.

Maddy summarySB 966 would remove existing requirements for homeschooling parents in West Virginia, specifically eliminating the need for parental certifications and mandating that home instruction cover the same subjects as public schools. The bill keeps annual academic assessments and notice-of-intent procedures but removes the requirement for homeschool providers to submit proof of a high school diploma or higher education credentials. It directly affects parents who choose to homeschool their children, as it reduces administrative barriers while maintaining basic oversight through annual assessments. The bill aims to simplify homeschooling compliance without altering the core structure of home education oversight.

Maddy summarySB 880, titled "Recognizing Judea and Samaria," requires West Virginia state agencies to replace the term "West Bank" with "Judea and Samaria" in all official government materials, including rules, press releases, and communications. The bill defines "official government material" broadly and prohibits using state funds to create such materials referencing the territory as the "West Bank." It allows limited waivers for agency heads who provide written justification to the Legislature or Governor. This is a procedural naming change affecting only state communications, not land policy or citizen rights.

Maddy summarySB 935 repeals a tax exemption for certain coal-fired power plants in West Virginia, directly affecting owners/operators of coal plants operational before January 1, 1995. The bill reduces the taxable generating capacity for these plants to 45% of their official capability (instead of 100%) for tax years starting July 1, 2021, but requires plants to remain operational until at least July 1, 2025, to qualify. If such plants close before July 1, 2025, owners must repay tax savings through a recapture tax, though federal mandates exempting closures avoid this requirement. The law applies specifically to "merchant power plants" (independent generators) and modifies existing tax calculation rules under West Virginia Code §11-13-2o.

Maddy summarySB 560, the Financial Accountability Stable Token Act (FAST Act), allows West Virginia to use stable digital tokens fully backed by U.S. dollars for payments to state vendors and contractors. The State Treasurer will maintain a list of approved tokens meeting strict criteria (e.g., 1:1 U.S. dollar backing, quarterly audits, and U.S. regulatory compliance) and may authorize them without further legislative action. Vendors and contractors can choose to accept these tokens voluntarily but cannot be required to do so, and such payments will satisfy the state’s financial obligations. The Treasurer must also submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing token usage, cost savings, and risk assessments.

Maddy summarySB 795 allows parents, guardians, or custodians to pay for an independent medical evaluation of their child when the child is in temporary protective custody due to emergency medical needs. This bill explicitly clarifies that parents cannot be denied the right to obtain such an evaluation at their own expense, addressing a gap in current law. It directly affects families whose children are held in protective custody for medical reasons, ensuring they can seek a second medical opinion if desired. The key provision amends existing law to state this right clearly, without changing custody decisions or medical treatment requirements.

Maddy summarySB 792 would remove a requirement that the Supreme Court of Appeals provide magistrates with a current copy of the West Virginia Code. Currently, state law mandates that the administrative director of the Supreme Court supply each magistrate with a copy, which remains the state's property. This bill eliminates that provision, meaning the Supreme Court would no longer be obligated to distribute the code to magistrates. The change affects the administrative duties of the Supreme Court and how magistrates access the state's statutory law for their court work.

Maddy summarySJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment (designated "Amendment 1") that would require West Virginia's state government to limit annual spending increases to no more than the combined growth of the state's population plus inflation. This would directly affect state budget decisions by imposing a strict cap on how much spending can rise each year. The amendment would be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election for approval. If adopted, it would become part of the West Virginia Constitution, altering how state expenditures are managed. The resolution includes procedural steps to number and name the proposed amendment as the "Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Amendment."