Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 119, the Stop the Bleed Act, requires all county school boards to implement bleeding control programs in public schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates schools to place defined bleeding control kits (containing tourniquets, bandages, gauze, and training materials) in accessible locations, provide staff training every other year on hemorrhage control techniques, and incorporate bleeding control education into high school curricula for grades 9-12. Schools must annually inspect kits and restock after use, with personnel protected from civil liability for good-faith kit use (except in cases of gross negligence). Funding may come from private donations or state appropriations. The law directly affects all West Virginia public school districts and their staff and students.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 120 designates Marshall University's Forensic Analysis Laboratory as a backup provider for West Virginia's state DNA database during natural disasters or statewide emergencies, ensuring continuity of operations. It also designates the same laboratory as an additional site for analyzing DNA from unidentified human remains submitted by the Chief Medical Examiner. The bill grants Marshall University's lab access to national missing persons and unidentified remains databases to support identification efforts through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Additionally, it requires the Chief Medical Examiner to collect specific DNA samples for inclusion in the state DNA databank.
Maddy summarySB 118 creates a program to address West Virginia's shortage of forensic pathologists by repaying their student loans. It directly affects medically trained forensic pathologists employed full-time by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who hold an accredited medical degree and West Virginia license. To qualify, applicants must complete 12 consecutive months of employment for each year of repayment requested (up to 10 years total), have eligible student loans in good standing, and meet specific loan balance requirements. The program offers up to $300,000 in total loan repayment over 10 years, administered annually by the Department of Health using a dedicated state fund, with awards based on funding availability.
Maddy summarySB 214 would require counties designated as "urban" by the West Virginia State Board to appoint a dedicated homeless education coordinator. This coordinator would directly support homeless students and their families in navigating school attendance requirements and accessing educational services. The bill amends education law to establish this position, focusing on improving school attendance for homeless youth in designated urban counties.
Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 210 criminalizes acts that interfere with election processes. It defines five new offenses: preventing election workers from doing their duties, stopping elections from occurring, obstructing voting, blocking voters from exercising their right to vote, or hindering election officials entering/exiting polling places. These acts - committed through force, threats, intimidation, or physical actions - carry penalties of up to $2,000 fines, one year in jail, or both. The bill also eliminates a previous offense requiring people to assist in preventing election-related violence.
Maddy summarySB 137 requires political action committees (PACs) in West Virginia to disclose the names and addresses of contributors who give more than $1,000 toward electioneering communications (ads supporting or opposing candidates within 12 hours of an election). For individual contributors, PACs must also report occupation, employer, or business details. The Secretary of State must make this information publicly available online within five business days of receiving the disclosure. This bill directly affects PACs and their donors by increasing transparency in campaign spending.
Maddy summarySB 219 changes the penalty for simple possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana from a misdemeanor (potentially involving jail time up to one year or fines up to $5,000) to a civil violation. This means individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana would face a maximum $25 civil fine instead of criminal charges, avoiding a criminal record. The bill directly affects people in West Virginia who possess small quantities of marijuana for personal use, as defined by the current law. The change applies specifically to possession under 15 grams, leaving penalties for larger amounts or other drug offenses unchanged.
Maddy summarySB 62 requires West Virginia's Bureau for Social Services to implement a "differential response" system for child welfare reports, replacing a single response approach. It mandates two distinct tracks: an investigative track for urgent cases (like imminent danger or abuse), and a family assessment track focused on prevention and family support for less severe reports. The bill requires using standardized screening tools to determine the appropriate response, establishes data retention rules for reports, and updates the child welfare data dashboard to reflect these changes. This directly affects child welfare agencies, families reporting concerns, and children in the state's child welfare system.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 61 provides a one-time $1,000 cost-of-living adjustment to retirees of West Virginia's Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) who currently receive an annual retirement annuity. The adjustment must be paid in full by June 30, 2025, and is subject to federal tax limits. Beneficiaries receiving annuities or benefits from these systems will also receive a proportional share of the $1,000 payment. This bill directly affects retirees and their designated beneficiaries under both retirement systems who met the eligibility criteria as of June 30, 2025.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 41 would allow West Virginia public school teachers to receive overtime pay for work performed on Saturdays, Sundays, or beyond regular school hours, but only with prior approval from both the State Board of Education and their school principal. The bill requires the State Board to establish overtime rates based on the state's minimum teacher salary schedule, ensuring Saturday/Sunday overtime is at least half the daily regular pay rate. This directly affects teachers who work extra hours, providing a structured process for compensation beyond standard workweeks. The bill does not set specific pay rates but mandates the State Board of Education to determine them. (4 sentences)