Sen. Chris Rose

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when lawsuits about asbestos or silica exposure can begin in West Virginia. It sets three triggers: a person must have a medical diagnosis, discover facts leading to a diagnosis, or pass away with a related health issue before a case can start. It also separates noncancer claims (like lung disease) from cancer claims and prohibits lawsuits against coal mining equipment manufacturers unless filed within 10-12 years of the equipment's first sale or use. The bill directly affects people exposed to these substances who develop health issues and manufacturers of mining equipment.

Maddy summarySB 653 directs the West Virginia Department of Administration to place a statue honoring U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom in a corner of the Capitol rotunda. The bill specifies that the statue must include her military awards, birth date, and death date, and authorizes using existing funds from the "capitol renovation and improvement fund" for the project. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on citizens or legislation.

Maddy summarySB 605 would provide a tax credit to West Virginia resident parents or legal guardians who homeschool or enroll their children in private schools meeting state education standards. The credit equals the amount a student eligible for the HOPE Scholarship would receive, covering kindergarten through 12th grade. Families already receiving the HOPE Scholarship are excluded from this credit. The State Tax Commissioner will establish rules for claiming the credit, but the State Board of Education cannot impose additional regulations on homeschooled children.

Maddy summarySB 609 would exempt West Virginia higher education students at colleges, universities, and vocational schools from mandatory vaccination requirements. Students aged 18+ or their parents/guardians could request exemption by submitting a signed statement objecting to immunizations based on sincerely held religious beliefs. The bill creates a new religious exemption pathway for student vaccinations, replacing current policies requiring all students to comply with school immunization rules. This change applies specifically to higher education institutions and does not affect other vaccination requirements.

Maddy summarySB 610 amends West Virginia law to change how medical exemptions to school vaccination requirements are granted. It eliminates the state commissioner's authority and the position of "State Immunization Officer," instead requiring a treating physician or advanced practice provider to issue a written statement to a child's school or childcare center if vaccination would be detrimental to the child's health. This directly affects children entering schools or childcare centers, as exemptions now rely solely on healthcare provider documentation rather than state official review. The bill maintains existing vaccine requirements (chickenpox, measles, polio, etc.) but shifts the exemption process to healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 612 designates November 7 as "Victims of Communism Day" for public schools, requiring high school students in the mandated U.S. Government class to receive at least 45 minutes of annual instruction on this topic. The bill specifies instruction must cover historical communist regimes (including Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, Stalin's Soviet system, and others) and how victims suffered through poverty, violence, and suppression. It directs the State Board of Education to revise social studies standards by April 2026 to include these requirements. The observance applies to all public schools, with make-up days if November 7 falls on a non-school day. This bill directly affects West Virginia public school students and educators in required U.S. Government courses.

Maddy summarySB 608 would amend West Virginia law to add a religious exemption for school immunization requirements. It allows children to be exempt from mandatory vaccines (chickenpox, measles, polio, and others) if parents or guardians submit a signed certification stating their sincerely held religious objections. This exemption would apply to children entering public, private, or parochial schools and state-regulated child care centers. The bill does not change the list of required vaccines or existing medical exemptions, but adds religious objections as a new basis for exemption. Schools and child care centers would need to accept these religious exemption certifications for enrollment.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 606 would allow private-sector employees in West Virginia to opt out of employer-mandated vaccinations based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Employees would need to provide a certificate stating their religious objection to their employer, and employers could not retaliate against them through penalties like withholding bonuses, pay raises, or promotions. The bill directly affects employees and employers in the private sector, establishing a specific religious exemption from vaccination requirements. It amends West Virginia's labor law to guarantee this right without requiring additional proof beyond the employee's certificate. This policy change creates a clear, legally protected exemption pathway for religious objections to workplace vaccination mandates.

Maddy summarySB 595 requires both parents to consent before non-emergency, non-life-threatening medical procedures can be performed on a child. This applies to children in custody arrangements where parents share decision-making responsibility, as determined by court order. The bill amends West Virginia law to mandate joint parental agreement for such medical decisions, excluding only emergencies that threaten life or health. It does not affect routine care or emergency medical treatment. The law applies directly to parents and healthcare providers when making non-urgent medical choices for children under court-ordered shared custody.

Maddy summarySB 591 prohibits public and charter schools in West Virginia from teaching students to believe certain "divisive concepts," such as the idea that one race is inherently superior or that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist. The bill defines these concepts broadly, including claims about inherent racial or sexual superiority, historical blame, or discrimination based on race or sex. Teachers who teach these concepts may face dismissal, though the bill allows objective academic discussion of them without endorsement. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.