Sen. Amy Grady

Maddy summaryThis bill allows classroom teachers who joined West Virginia's Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015, to sell up to 10 unused personal leave days to their county school board for cash. Teachers receive 80% of the county's rate for a substitute teacher with a bachelor's degree and 10 years' experience per day, paid by June 30. Once sold, those leave days are permanently forfeited and cannot be used for any future purpose. The policy directly affects eligible teachers by providing a one-time cash option for unused leave instead of carrying it forward.

Maddy summarySB 831 establishes the Troops-to-Teachers Program to recruit veterans of the armed forces, including retirees, for teaching positions in West Virginia public schools. The program, to be implemented by the state superintendent, ensures veterans meeting certification requirements receive a veterans' hiring preference as outlined in existing law (§6-13-2). This initiative creates a direct pathway for veterans to transition into teaching careers while leveraging their skills and experience within the state's education system.

Maddy summarySB 841 prohibits all West Virginia state government entities - including public schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and social services offices - from promoting, facilitating, or funding any discussions, programs, or medical procedures related to sexual orientation or gender transitioning. The bill bans state funds for gender transition treatments (like hormone therapy or puberty blockers), restricts school materials discussing gender identity, and prohibits staff from engaging in related training or curriculum. Violations could result in employee termination, funding suspension, or lawsuits by West Virginia residents. This directly affects state-funded institutions and their educational, medical, and administrative activities.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 31) designates March 14, 2025, as Suicide Prevention Awareness Day at the West Virginia Legislature. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the importance of suicide prevention through a symbolic legislative acknowledgment. The resolution cites West Virginia's high suicide rates (18.3 per 100,000 residents, with 71% involving firearms) and emphasizes the need for mental health awareness and access to treatment. It directs the legislature to forward a copy to the West Virginia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 28 designates March 14, 2025, as West Virginia State University Day at the West Virginia Legislature. The resolution recognizes the university’s history as a public historically Black college (HBCU) founded in 1891, its role as a land-grant institution, and its contributions to education and economic development across West Virginia. As a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes, it serves only to formally acknowledge the university’s legacy and impact on the state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates March 13, 2025, as "Wear Red Day" at the state Capitol building. It does not create new laws or obligations but symbolically encourages Capitol staff and visitors to wear red to raise awareness about heart health and cardiac arrest prevention. The resolution cites statistics on cardiac arrest survival rates and references the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign to highlight the importance of CPR and AED training. It directs the Capitol Clerk to send a copy to the American Heart Association. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy impact beyond the symbolic designation.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 606 requires mammography reports to include standardized patient notifications about breast density based on the American College of Radiology's system. It mandates that reports clearly state whether a patient has "dense" or "not dense" breast tissue, explaining how density affects mammogram accuracy and cancer risk. The bill specifies four standardized density categories (e.g., "heterogeneously dense" or "extremely dense") to be included in both patient summaries and provider reports. This directly affects patients receiving mammograms and their healthcare providers, ensuring consistent communication about breast density's implications for cancer detection. The law aims to improve informed discussions between patients and doctors regarding breast cancer screening options.

Maddy summarySB 552 modifies West Virginia's Certified Business Expansion Development Program by removing specific requirements for designated "high impact business development districts." It eliminates the need for renewable energy generation in these districts, removes restrictions on district locations (including land previously used for coal mining), and removes acreage limits. The bill also clarifies that regulated utility customers won't bear costs for utilities within certified districts. This change primarily affects businesses seeking to locate or expand new industrial facilities in designated districts by simplifying program eligibility and operational rules.

Maddy summarySB 284 updates training requirements for West Virginia county board of education members, requiring initial orientation within 30 days of swearing in (with make-up sessions for absences), increasing annual training hours, and modifying covered topics like fiscal management. It sets a standard compensation rate of $260 per meeting attended (allowing counties to set lower rates) and requires the State Superintendent to annually report training data to the Legislative Oversight Commission. The bill also removes the January 1 deadline for final-year training and adds non-voting ex officio members to the training oversight committee. These changes directly affect all county board members and aim to standardize training and compensation practices.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 19 designates March 4, 2025, as Marshall University Day at the West Virginia Legislature. The resolution recognizes Marshall University's contributions to education, economic growth, health care, and athletics in West Virginia, highlighting its role as a major employer, research institution, and community partner. It does not create new policies or affect funding - it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of the university's achievements. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on March 4, 2025.