Sen. Mike Woelfel

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 summarySenate Bill 174 creates a new felony offense for indecent exposure in front of minors in West Virginia, defined as exposing one's genitals (penis, vagina, or anus) to a minor. It requires individuals convicted of this offense to register as sex offenders under the Sex Offender Registration Act and increases penalties, including fines and imprisonment for third offenses, with enhanced penalties for repeat violations. The bill also removes a breastfeeding exemption, stating that the clarified definition makes it unnecessary. This legislation updates penalties and registration requirements to strengthen protections for minors.

Maddy summarySB 113 provides a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retired public employees and teachers in West Virginia. It applies to retirees under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) who are at least 60 years old and have received retirement payments for five or more years. Starting July 1, 2026, these retirees will receive an additional monthly payment equal to the annual increase in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index. This adjustment is added to existing retirement benefits and is automatically calculated based on official inflation data each year.

Maddy summarySB 116, "Raylee's Law," prohibits county superintendents from authorizing home instruction for a child if a schoolteacher or school personnel has initiated a child abuse or neglect investigation against the child's custodial parent/guardian or the home instructor. It requires county superintendents to notify the county board when such an investigation is reported and to request confirmation of the investigation's status from the Department of Human Services within 48 hours. If the abuse complaint is not substantiated within 14 days, the superintendent must approve home instruction. This law directly affects families seeking home schooling during active child welfare investigations, adding a verification step to ensure child safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all West Virginia public schools to provide age-appropriate Holocaust education starting in the sixth grade. It mandates instruction on the systematic annihilation of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany, emphasizing human behavior and responsible citizenship. Schools must use guidance from the West Virginia Commission on Holocaust Education to develop this curriculum. The requirement applies to all public schools in the state and explicitly prohibits teaching this content before sixth grade.

Maddy summarySB 160 restructures West Virginia's mental health evaluation and commitment system by creating mental hygiene regions overseen by the Supreme Court of Appeals. It requires video technology for evaluations and hearings (with facilities providing compliant tech), removes licensed counselors/social workers as approved examiners, and establishes time limits: no civil commitment longer than 120 days without a hearing, and mandatory hearings for commitments exceeding 90 days. The bill also creates temporary observation releases and mandates certified mental health centers to provide 24/7 examiner coverage in each region. This directly affects individuals in mental health proceedings, mental health facilities, and the Supreme Court's administrative role in overseeing regional commissioners.

Maddy summarySB 248 creates a nonrefundable $25,000 tax credit against West Virginia state personal income taxes for eligible returning residents. It directly affects individuals who were born in West Virginia or lived/worked there for 10+ years, left for at least 10 consecutive years before 2025, and returned as residents on or after January 1, 2025. The credit reduces state income tax bills (up to $25,000 annually) and can be carried forward to future tax years but not back to prior years. The credit is available starting after December 31, 2026, and expires after December 31, 2030, with the Tax Commissioner required to verify eligibility and report usage annually.

Maddy summarySB 169 creates a West Virginia state tax credit for childcare expenses for residents who claim the federal childcare tax credit on their federal return. It provides a refundable credit equal to 50% of the federal credit amount for individuals with federal adjusted gross income under $30,000, 30% for incomes between $30,001-$45,000, and 20% for incomes between $45,001-$65,000. The credit is unavailable for those earning $65,000+ or receiving state childcare assistance (except for unreimbursed costs), and unused credits are refunded rather than carried forward. The credit applies to 2027 tax years and is based on federal Form 2441 claims.

Maddy summarySB 193 clarifies requirements for transfer on death deeds in West Virginia, which allow property owners to transfer real estate to beneficiaries upon their death without probate. The bill specifies that the transferor must have the same legal capacity as required to make a will (matching will-making standards), and the deed must explicitly state the transfer occurs at the transferor's death. It also requires the deed to be recorded before the transferor's death in the county clerk's office and exempts it from excise tax because the transfer remains revocable until death. This affects property owners using transfer on death deeds to simplify estate planning for real estate.

Maddy summarySB 125 requires West Virginia public colleges and universities to provide free, confidential transportation to students seeking a sexual assault forensic medical examination (commonly called a "rape kit" exam) at a hospital. This applies to students who request the exam after experiencing sexual violence, with transportation options including campus staff, rape crisis centers, ride-sharing services, or non-law enforcement vehicles (students cannot be forced to use police transport). The requirement begins for the 2027-2028 academic year and must be implemented "to the extent practicable" while protecting student safety and confidentiality. The bill does not mandate specific transportation methods but ensures students receive support without cost or privacy concerns.