Sen. Patricia Rucker

Maddy summarySB 325 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Architects to officially adopt and implement a specific rule governing architect registration. The bill references an existing rule (2 CSR 01) that was previously filed in the State Register on July 25, 2025, modified after committee review, and refiled on October 8, 2025. This rule outlines requirements for registering architects in the state, such as qualifications and process details. The bill itself does not change the registration requirements but formally approves the Board's proposed rule. It directly affects the Board of Architects (which will enforce the rule) and licensed architects seeking or maintaining registration in West Virginia.

Maddy summarySB 349 is a procedural bill that authorizes West Virginia's Board of Occupational Therapy to implement existing rules about continuing education requirements for licensed occupational therapists. It specifically references a rule filed in the State Register on June 3, 2025 (13 CSR 04), which governs therapist competence through ongoing education. The bill does not change the substance of the education rules but formally permits the board to adopt and enforce them. This affects licensed occupational therapists in West Virginia who must complete continuing education to maintain their licenses.

Maddy summarySB 287 authorizes the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA) to implement a specific regulatory rule for private clubs that serve alcohol. The bill formally approves a rule previously modified and resubmitted after legislative review, which sets operational requirements for these clubs under state alcohol regulations. This rule directly affects private clubs by establishing compliance standards for alcohol service and venue operations. The bill does not alter the rule's content but grants the ABCA the authority to enforce it as part of its regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 324) authorizes West Virginia's Attorney General to create and enforce a rule governing preneed burial contracts, which are agreements made in advance for future funeral services. The key provision adds a sunset clause requiring the rule to expire automatically on August 1, 2036. It directly affects consumers who purchase preneed burial contracts and funeral providers who must comply with the rule. The bill does not change the substance of burial contract rules but updates the rule-making authority with a defined expiration date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 369) authorizes West Virginia's Public Service Commission to implement an existing rule (150 CSR 37) regarding the use of customer-owned utility infrastructure, specifically "customer-provided conduit" (e.g., underground fiber optic lines or conduits customers already own). It does not create new policy but formally approves a rule the Commission filed on March 12, 2025, for public utility infrastructure occupancy. The rule directly affects utility companies and property owners who manage shared conduit infrastructure. This is a procedural bill confirming an existing regulatory framework, with no new requirements or changes to how conduit occupancy is managed.

Maddy summarySB 333 authorizes the Board of Examiners in Counseling to implement a rule specifying continuing education and license renewal requirements for licensed professional counselors in West Virginia. The rule, developed and modified in 2025 to address legislative concerns, will govern how counselors maintain their licenses through required continuing education hours. This procedural bill does not alter the substance of the requirements but formally allows the Board to adopt the finalized rule.

Maddy summarySB 268 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Health to implement a rule (64 CSR 48) that sets standards for emergency medical services. This rule, developed and revised after addressing legislative committee feedback, will govern how ambulance services, paramedics, and emergency medical personnel operate. The rule directly affects emergency medical service providers by establishing their required practices and safety protocols. The bill itself does not change the rule's content but formally approves its adoption as a binding regulation.

Maddy summarySB 276 amends an existing rule (71 CSR 17) by the Office of Inspector General to clarify that setting doses on dial-up insulin pens is a routine, non-clinical task for approved medication assistive personnel. The bill specifically adds that "selecting or setting the amount on a dial-up insulin pen to an amount prescribed is ministerial in nature and is not deemed an exercise of clinical judgment." This procedural change directly affects healthcare facilities and medication assistive personnel who administer medications under the rule. It does not create new policy but provides explicit guidance on a specific medication task.

Maddy summarySB 269 updates the fee schedule for laboratory services provided by the West Virginia Department of Health. It revises Appendix A of the existing rule (64 CSR 51) to establish specific fees for different types of tests, such as $20 for individual metal analyses, $125 for EPA-regulated volatile organic compounds, and $185 for certain synthetic organic compound packages. This bill directly affects laboratories that submit samples for testing to the Department of Health, as they will now pay these updated rates. The changes are limited to the fee structure and do not alter the scope of services offered.

Maddy summarySB 272 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health to establish basic public health service standards for local health boards by creating a Public Health Advisory Committee. The committee, composed of nine members appointed by the Commissioner (including representatives from local health departments, county associations, and the West Virginia Association of Local Health Departments), will advise the Department, develop performance assessment tools for local health boards, and provide input on training. This bill directly affects local health boards by setting procedural requirements for their oversight and standardization under state health regulations. The measure focuses on administrative structure rather than direct public policy changes.