Maddy summarySB 179 amends West Virginia law to explicitly include federal correctional facilities in the list of places where delivering prohibited items to inmates is illegal. It creates new criminal penalties for attempting to smuggle contraband like weapons, drugs, alcohol, escape tools, or telecommunications devices into these facilities without authorization. The bill directly affects individuals who attempt to deliver such items to inmates in federal prisons located within West Virginia, with penalties ranging from fines ($100-$5,000) to up to 10 years in prison depending on the item and intent. Key provisions specify that unauthorized deliveries of contraband, transport of prohibited items onto facility grounds, or supplying unauthorized items to inmates all constitute offenses under this law.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 122 would repeal a West Virginia law requiring the State Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to automatically allow high school transfer students to retain athletic eligibility after moving schools. This bill directly affects high school athletes who transfer between schools, as it removes a mandatory rule that previously required WVSSAC to permit their continued participation. The key provision eliminates the requirement forcing WVSSAC to modify its rules to guarantee eligibility, instead giving the commission discretion to decide whether to allow transfer students to compete. The bill does not create new eligibility rules but changes the Commission's authority to determine them.
Maddy summarySB 145 increases compensation for attorneys representing indigent clients in criminal, juvenile, and abuse/neglect cases, as well as for guardians ad litem appointed by West Virginia courts. It requires Public Defender Services to process payment claims within 45 business days and establishes clear procedures for resolving disputes over rejected or reduced payments, including court review. The bill also mandates an annual report summarizing legal services provided by guardians ad litem. This directly affects panel attorneys, guardians ad litem, and the Public Defender Services agency.
Maddy summarySB 139 (West Virginia Senate Bill 139) amends state law to allow one spouse to testify against the other in criminal cases involving offenses committed against a child, grandchild, or vulnerable family member (such as a minor, parent, or person with a disability). The bill specifically removes the requirement for mutual consent when a spouse seeks to testify about crimes against these protected individuals. It directly affects spouses in criminal trials where one partner is accused of harming a child or vulnerable relative. The change clarifies that such testimony can be compelled without the accused spouse's consent, while maintaining that a spouse's refusal to testify cannot be used as evidence against the accused.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors working on state or public construction projects (like roads, buildings, or infrastructure) to pay workers the prevailing wage rate for their trade in the local area. It mandates that public authorities determine and include this rate in contract specifications each year, based on the rate paid to most workers in that trade and location. Contractors must pay at least this rate, maintain records, post wage information, and face criminal penalties for violations, with these rules applying only to new contracts after the law takes effect. The bill does not affect existing contracts or temporary emergency repairs.
Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes West Virginia's bail statutes to clarify procedures for pretrial release. It mandates release on recognizance (without paying bail) for most misdemeanor defendants unless they face specific offenses like violent misdemeanors, crimes against minors, or drug offenses. Judicial officers must consider factors like the nature of the offense, defendant's criminal history, and ability to pay when setting bail, while setting a maximum cash bail amount for misdemeanors. The bill removes outdated provisions about bail amounts for multiple charges and requires courts to provide specific information for recognizance releases, directly affecting misdemeanor defendants and court proceedings.
Maddy summarySB 105 (Restricting public access to crime records) allows certain individuals with pardoned or dismissed criminal charges to petition a court to limit public access to their records. Eligible individuals must have received a full pardon (with no recent non-traffic convictions or pending charges) or had charges dismissed/reduced to a local ordinance violation. The court can restrict access if it determines the harm to the person outweighs public interest, after a hearing and publication notice. Records remain accessible for sentencing, law enforcement, bar admissions, and other specific official uses, but are restricted for general public view. This bill does not apply to violent crimes, animal violence, or certain drug offenses involving violence.
Maddy summarySB 119 changes how West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) members are selected. It eliminates the current process where the governor appoints PSC members and instead requires them to be elected by voters in nonpartisan, statewide elections held on primary election dates. The bill establishes six-year terms for elected commissioners, with initial terms staggered to ensure continuity, and specifies procedures for filling vacancies. This directly affects PSC members (who will now be elected rather than appointed) and West Virginia voters, who will choose commissioners for the entire state in nonpartisan races. The bill amends specific code sections including §3-5-6f (election procedures) and §24-1-3 (PSC structure).
Maddy summarySB 101 creates a new position for a "homeless education coordinator" in West Virginia counties designated as "urban" by the state board. This coordinator will directly assist homeless students and families in accessing school services and ensuring consistent attendance. The bill requires counties with this position to implement support systems for homeless students, including helping them enroll, stay in school, and address barriers like transportation or housing instability. The policy change specifically targets homeless students in designated urban counties, focusing on practical support rather than altering general attendance rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act in West Virginia, creating a legal framework to prevent children from being wrongfully removed or retained by custodial parents or others. It directly affects children at risk of abduction, parents or guardians involved in custody cases, and courts handling child custody matters. Key provisions require courts to issue protective orders when a credible risk of abduction is proven, based on specific risk factors outlined in the law, and mandate detailed petitions including child and respondent locations, prior abuse cases, and custody history. The act also standardizes procedures for courts to communicate across jurisdictions and outlines steps for obtaining warrants to secure a child's safety.