Sen. Patricia Rucker

Maddy summarySB 871 removes drywall installers from the legal definition of "contractor" under West Virginia's Contractor Licensing Act. This change specifically amends Section 30-42-3(d)(6) to explicitly exclude "persons who perform landscaping, drywall installation and related services" from licensing requirements. As a result, drywall installers working for commercial or residential clients will no longer need a contractor's license for their services. The bill directly affects drywall professionals by eliminating a licensing barrier for their specific work.

Maddy summarySB 820 creates the Whistleblower Protection Fund to support reporting of unethical practices in specific healthcare facilities, including clinical inpatient medical treatment centers, office-based medication-assisted treatment programs, and opioid treatment programs. The fund, administered by the Office of the Inspector General, will finance public awareness campaigns - such as advertisements, social media outreach, and informational materials - to encourage whistleblowers to report misconduct without fear of retaliation. Funding sources include legislative appropriations, donations, and public health grants. The Inspector General must submit annual reports to the Health Committee detailing campaign activities, the number of reports received, and their outcomes. This bill focuses on creating a reporting mechanism, not altering existing legal penalties.

Maddy summarySB 805 makes housing association (HOA) rules prohibiting home gardens or owning up to four chickens unenforceable in West Virginia. It directly affects homeowners in HOA-managed communities by voiding restrictions on personal gardening (including container plants) and chicken ownership, as long as the chickens are hens or pullets (not roosters). The bill defines "personal agriculture" as non-commercial home growing of edibles and allows HOAs to maintain reasonable rules about coop size, location, and waste removal, while preserving local health/safety regulations and historical preservation requirements. It does not apply to common areas or prohibit HOAs from banning synthetic chemicals or requiring garden maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 100) allows West Virginia State Police members in the retirement system to convert accrued sick or annual leave into additional retirement credit. Current members who joined before July 1, 2015, get two months of retirement credit for every month of leave used (based on 8-hour leave days), while newer members (joining July 1, 2015, or later) get one month of credit per month of leave used. The bill clarifies that leave days equal eight hours and specifies how unused partial credits (less than 10 workdays) are handled. It directly affects State Police retirees by potentially increasing their retirement benefits through unused leave.

Maddy summarySCR 22 is a resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study policies and incentives to promote beverage container recycling within West Virginia. The study will examine how to encourage recycling centers to locate in the state, focusing on materials to include, redemption center criteria, funding incentives, recycling rules, participation targets, and potential legislative changes. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the 2026 legislative session. This resolution does not create new law but requests a study to inform future policy decisions about recycling infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 917 limits legal responsibility for academic medical centers and teaching hospitals in West Virginia (affiliated with medical/dental schools) when providing patient care during clinical training. It requires these institutions to maintain insurance and pay compensation for injuries, while setting caps on liability for their staff (including faculty, residents, students, and volunteers) related to care provided in training settings. The bill aims to support medical education by reducing legal risks for these facilities, which train health care providers and contribute to West Virginia's health workforce. This applies specifically to nonprofit hospitals affiliated with accredited medical schools or sponsoring four+ graduate medical programs.

Maddy summarySB 889 proposes to modify West Virginia's requirements for establishing public charter schools by adding detailed application standards. The bill mandates that applicants submit comprehensive materials including mission statements, student achievement goals, governance structures, enrollment plans, five-year budgets, and facility descriptions. These requirements apply to all entities seeking to create or convert schools into public charters, including rural districts. The bill is currently in the Senate Education Committee for review as introduced on March 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 929, the "Restoring Private Schools Act of 2025," amends West Virginia law to establish requirements for private, parochial, and church schools. It mandates these schools to maintain attendance and immunization records, comply with fire and health safety inspections, create crisis response plans, and administer annual standardized tests to students in the same grades and subjects as public schools. Schools serving students with learning disabilities may use alternative assessments like portfolios or parent-agreed evaluations instead of standardized tests. The bill requires schools to share test results and student lists with parents and the state education department upon request, directly affecting all nonpublic schools operating under these provisions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 39 designates March as Kidney Disease Awareness Month in West Virginia. This symbolic resolution raises public awareness about kidney disease, highlighting its prevalence and risk factors like diabetes and hypertension. It directs the state to encourage healthy habits (such as proper diet and hydration) and communication with healthcare providers regarding kidney health. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 21, 2025, and a copy was sent to the National Kidney Foundation.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 40 designates March 21, 2025, as "West Virginia Arts Day" at the legislature. The resolution formally recognizes the state's arts community, agencies, and the cultural and educational value of the arts across West Virginia. It encourages all citizens to celebrate arts and culture and directs the Clerk to send a copy to the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History. This is a ceremonial designation with no funding or policy changes.