Sen. Tom Takubo

Maddy summarySB 13 requires West Virginia law enforcement to collect DNA samples from individuals convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors (including domestic battery), as well as from those charged with a felony after a grand jury indictment or waiver of indictment. The bill establishes procedures for maintaining DNA records in a state database, specifies testing methods, and mandates expungement of records in certain cases. Failure to expunge DNA records properly will not invalidate criminal proceedings based on database matches. This law aims to enhance law enforcement's ability to solve violent and sex-related crimes through DNA evidence.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 31, provides an enhanced retirement benefit for specific West Virginia public retirees. It directly affects retirees over age 77 who retired before June 30, 2020, and have received retirement payments for at least 12 years. The key provision adds a monthly supplement equal to 103% of the retiree's annual retirement payment at age 65, calculated as a compounded amount. This supplement is in addition to existing retirement benefits under the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement Act. The bill does not change eligibility criteria or funding mechanisms beyond this specific payment adjustment.

Maddy summarySB 85 shortens the deadline for filing lawsuits to recover money on contracts, fiduciary bonds, and recognizances. It reduces the time limit from 5 years to 2 years for most contracts (both oral and written) and from 10 years to 5 years for claims involving fiduciary bonds (such as those held by executors or guardians) and non-bail recognizances. This change directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to enforce contracts or recover funds from fiduciaries or recognizance agreements. The bill requires claimants to initiate legal action more quickly under these specific circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 86 creates legal protections for banks, broker-dealers, and investment advisors in West Virginia who suspect financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. It allows these institutions to delay, refuse, or prevent certain transactions and share financial information with designated state agencies (like the Department of Human Services or Attorney General) without fear of lawsuits, when they believe an eligible adult is at risk. Eligible adults include people aged 65+ or adults 18+ with significant mental impairments affecting financial decisions, or those with appointed guardians/conservators. The bill explicitly states it does not require institutions to override customer instructions but provides tools to intervene safely.

Maddy summaryThe bill title "SB 3: Allowing Supreme Court discretion to create uniform pay scales" does not match the provided text. The actual document is **House Concurrent Resolution 3 (HCR 3)**, a procedural resolution requesting the Division of Highways to name specific bridges and roads in West Virginia after veterans and community figures. It lists 23 infrastructure locations (e.g., "John and Virginia Skidmore Memorial Bridge," "U.S. Army PFC Edwin L. Mackey Memorial Bridge") with geographic coordinates and dedications, seeking commemorative naming for public infrastructure. This is a non-substantive, commemorative resolution with no policy changes or mechanisms beyond naming.

Maddy summarySB 7 increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000, reducing tax bills for eligible primary homeowners. It applies to residents aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled, who meet residency requirements (such as living in the state for two consecutive years). The exemption is applied as a direct deduction from a home's assessed value, meaning no property tax is due on the first $40,000 of a home's value. The bill also updates residency rules to include exceptions for military service members and returning residents within five years.

Maddy summarySB 462 allows the Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks for individuals applying for or renewing an occupational therapy license. This bill directly affects prospective and current occupational therapy licensees in the state. The key provision expands the Board's authority to conduct these background checks as part of the licensing process. It does not change existing licensing requirements but adds this specific screening tool. The law became effective upon the governor's approval on March 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 35 allows campus police officers at public colleges and universities to join the Deputy Sheriffs Retirement System, expanding their retirement benefits eligibility. This policy change directly affects campus law enforcement staff by enabling them to participate in a state-run retirement plan previously available only to sheriffs' deputies. The bill amends the retirement system's rules to include campus police officers as eligible members, providing them with standardized retirement benefits. The law became effective upon the governor's approval on April 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 50 is a non-binding request to the federal government to study and implement waterway restoration projects in West Virginia. The resolution specifically asks federal agencies to evaluate and act on debris removal, river bed stabilization, and restoration of natural water flow patterns to address existing flooding damage and prevent future flooding. It was prompted by historic flooding in West Virginia during winter and spring 2025, which left streams and rivers filled with debris that continues to damage property and infrastructure. The resolution requests federal action to mitigate these issues and reduce future recovery costs. This resolution is addressed to President Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk, in his alleged capacity as a special government employee.

Maddy summarySB 939 requires medication-assisted treatment (MAT) facilities in West Virginia to implement a specific drug testing schedule for patients with substance use disorder. Upon admission, patients must undergo a comprehensive drug test, followed by direct observation tests every two weeks for six weeks, then every 45 days for one year, and every six months after that. Facilities must also allow providers to request tests at any time to assess treatment compliance. This bill directly affects patients in MAT programs and the facilities providing these services, establishing clear, time-based testing protocols to monitor treatment adherence.