Sen. Patricia Rucker

Maddy summarySB 424, the "Restoring Sanity Act," prohibits West Virginia public schools and state universities from requiring instruction, curriculum content, or statements about specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, or biological sex. It bans teaching that one race/ethnicity/biological sex is inherently superior, that individuals are racist/sexist based solely on identity, or that people bear responsibility for others' actions due to their identity. The bill also prohibits state universities from maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or using funds for DEI initiatives, requiring those funds to instead support merit scholarships or reduce tuition. Additionally, it states school employees are not required to use a student’s preferred pronoun if inconsistent with their biological sex, and schools cannot be held liable for using the student’s biological sex-based pronoun.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 93 requires e-cigarette and e-liquid manufacturers to certify product listings with the state Tax Commissioner and Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner by July 2025. Manufacturers must prove they have U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketing authorization for each product or meet specific pre-2020 application deadlines, paying a $100 annual fee per product. The bill mandates a public directory of approved products, prohibits sales of unlisted items, and requires monthly updates to the directory. Manufacturers must be notified of deficiencies and given 15 days to correct issues before removal from the directory. This affects manufacturers directly, not retailers or consumers, and enforces FDA compliance as the core regulatory mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's Medicaid program to reimburse remote ultrasound procedures and fetal nonstress tests (which monitor fetal heart rate) when performed at a patient's home or off-site location. It mandates that providers use secure digital technology meeting federal privacy (HIPAA) and safety (FDA) standards, and maintain the same care quality as in-person visits. The policy directly affects pregnant Medicaid patients who can receive these services remotely and healthcare providers who can now bill for them under standard medical codes. It also specifies that reimbursement applies without requiring a 30-day waiting period between consent and the procedure.

Maddy summarySB 82 upgrades gross neglect of incapacitated adults to a felony, imposing penalties of up to $3,000 in fines and 5 years in prison for reckless or intentional neglect that risks serious harm or death. It removes the requirement of proving "malice" for felony charges when a caregiver’s actions cause an incapacitated adult’s death, making such cases prosecutable as felonies without needing to prove intentional harm. The bill directly affects caregivers (including facilities) responsible for vulnerable adults aged 18+ who cannot perform daily life activities due to age, physical, or mental infirmity. Penalties increase based on severity, with higher fines and longer prison terms for causing serious injury or death compared to current misdemeanor standards.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 88 requires West Virginia's Fire Commission to create specific installation standards for propane fuel tanks (over 250 pounds) used in single-family homes. These standards would apply to contractors and installers working on residential propane systems, excluding homeowners who install tanks for their own use. The State Fire Marshal would enforce these rules through inspections and certification of compliance. The bill directly affects propane system installers, contractors, and homeowners using larger propane tanks in single-family dwellings, focusing on safety standards for residential installations.

Maddy summarySB 97, the West Virginia Chemical Abortion Prohibition Act, prohibits healthcare providers from prescribing or dispensing abortion drugs unless specific requirements are met. It requires a physical exam before the procedure, the provider’s presence during administration, a follow-up visit within seven days, and provision of a medical waste kit for disposal. Violations could result in fines up to $1,000 or up to three years in prison, though exceptions exist for life-saving procedures. The bill also mandates that drug manufacturers cover cleanup costs if abortion drugs are found in wastewater, and defines key terms like "chemical abortion" and "abortion drug" to clarify prohibited actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing framework for certified professional midwives (CPMs) in West Virginia. It requires midwives to hold a CPM credential from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), meet age and education standards, pass background checks, and maintain certifications in life support and neonatal resuscitation. The law defines "licensed midwife" separately from certified nurse-midwives and outlines requirements for practice, renewal, temporary permits, continuing education, and responsibilities like referrals to physicians. It directly affects midwives seeking to legally practice maternity care in West Virginia under this new regulatory structure.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 98 (SB 98) adds formal grievance and appellate procedures for individuals participating in West Virginia’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Safety and Treatment Program and Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program. It directly affects drivers whose licenses were suspended or revoked for DUI/DWI offenses and who are enrolled in these programs. Key provisions include requiring the DMV to establish clear appeal processes for participants, prohibiting the DMV from imposing minimum driving time/mileage requirements, and mandating that participants who meet specific criteria be reinstated at no cost if previously removed for failing program requirements. The bill also authorizes the DMV commissioner to create emergency rules and requires annual reporting on program participation and costs.

Maddy summarySB 81 creates a new felony offense in West Virginia for knowingly, willfully, and forcibly obstructing or hindering home incarceration supervisors or social service workers while they are performing their official duties, if the obstruction causes their death. It specifically targets physical force used against these workers, including those supervising home incarceration programs or providing services like child abuse investigations, mental health support, and home visits for vulnerable populations. Violators face a mandatory prison sentence of 15 years to life in a state correctional facility. The bill expands existing protections for public safety workers to include these specific roles, with clear definitions of "forcibly" and the covered workers.

Maddy summarySB 42 reduces the required work days for substitute teachers to earn seniority toward permanent teaching positions. It lowers the threshold to 80 days per school year (excluding retired educators), allowing non-retired substitute teachers to qualify for full-time roles after working fewer days. The bill modifies existing seniority rules under West Virginia law to make this transition more accessible. This policy directly affects substitute teachers seeking permanent employment in West Virginia public schools.