Sen. Mike Woelfel

Maddy summarySB 245, the Hunger-Free Campus Act, creates a grant program for West Virginia public universities to address student food insecurity. To qualify, campuses must meet specific requirements, including establishing a hunger task force, providing SNAP assistance, operating food pantries or stigma-free food access, hosting awareness events, and conducting annual student hunger surveys. Eligible institutions receive state grant funding - subject to available appropriations - to implement programs like meal credit sharing and improve campus food security services. The Higher Education Policy Commission must report to the governor and legislature within two years on grant distribution, program impact, and recommendations for expansion.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 212 creates a Critical Incident Review Team within West Virginia's Department of Human Services to review deaths and near-deaths of children in specific cases, including those in state custody, known cases with the department (within the past year), or reported through centralized intake. The team, composed of department officials and a court representative, will analyze trends, establish review protocols, and submit annual reports to the legislature with recommendations to reduce such incidents. State agencies must provide necessary records (like medical or social services data) for reviews while maintaining strict confidentiality of all team proceedings and records. This process directly affects how the state handles child welfare fatalities, aiming to improve safety through systematic analysis rather than changing direct services for families.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's Senate Bill 216 requires public colleges and universities to provide free, confidential transportation to hospitals for students seeking a sexual assault forensic medical exam after experiencing sexual violence. Starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, institutions must arrange transportation - using options like campus staff, rape crisis center workers, or ride-sharing services - without charging students or compromising their privacy. The bill explicitly prohibits forcing students to use law enforcement vehicles for transport and mandates at least one non-police transportation option per campus. This policy directly affects students at state higher education institutions who report sexual violence and seek medical support.

Maddy summarySB 189 amends West Virginia law to allow spouses to testify for or against each other in criminal cases, removing the previous restriction that prevented one spouse from being compelled to testify against the other. The bill specifically permits spousal testimony in cases involving crimes committed by one spouse against a child, grandchild, or other close family members (like parents or siblings), as defined in the law. It also clarifies that a spouse’s decision not to testify cannot be used as evidence against the accused or commented on by the court or jury. This change directly affects spouses involved in criminal trials where family violence or harm to dependents is alleged.

Maddy summarySB 290 establishes a permit system for wildlife rehabilitators in West Virginia, requiring applicants to have certification from the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council or be a licensed veterinarian, pass a background check, maintain facilities meeting national standards, and provide a letter of competence from a qualified professional. The bill authorizes licensed veterinarians, humane societies, and animal control agencies to provide emergency care for orphaned, injured, or ill wildlife without a permit for up to 48 hours, after which the wildlife must be transferred to a permit holder. It mandates detailed record-keeping for all wildlife care, prohibits taming wildlife, and allows non-releasable wildlife to be used in educational programs or transferred to zoological facilities. The bill also sets procedures for facility inspections and permits the division to remove wildlife from a rehabilitator who fails to meet standards after 14 days to correct deficiencies.

Maddy summarySB 215 updates eligibility requirements for individuals seeking to register as service workers with West Virginia's Bureau for Children and Families. It directly affects prospective workers by requiring a bachelor's degree (or higher in social work for reduced training), employment with the bureau, background checks, and specific training hours. Key provisions include 240 hours of pre-service training (reduced to 80 hours for social work graduates) and 20 hours of annual continuing education, including ethics and veteran health topics. The bill aims to establish standardized professional qualifications for these roles within the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summarySB 239, the Second Look Sentencing Act, would allow West Virginia courts to reconsider and potentially reduce prison sentences for individuals who were under 25 when they committed a crime and have served at least 10 years of a sentence exceeding 10 years. The court must hold a hearing, consider factors like rehabilitation, safety to the community, youth-related circumstances, and victim input, before deciding to reduce the sentence. If approved, the sentence is reduced and the person may remain under supervised release for up to five years. The bill requires written court reasoning for decisions and permits a second review after three years if the first motion is denied.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 53 prohibits West Virginia public schools from starting instructional days before 7:45 a.m. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools in the state by establishing a mandatory minimum start time. It creates a new law (§18-1-2a) that overrides any existing provisions allowing earlier start times, based on findings linking early start times to sleep deprivation and negative impacts on student well-being, health, and academic performance. This policy change requires schools to adjust schedules to meet the 7:45 a.m. deadline for the start of the school day.

Maddy summarySB 74 creates a pilot program in Cabell County for recovery residences (sober living homes) to address how landlord-tenant laws apply to these facilities. It allows immediate discharge for serious issues like drug use, violence, or safety threats, but requires standard eviction procedures for other discharges. The bill mandates prorated refunds for unused fees, return transportation for out-of-state residents, and reporting of discharge reasons to the Behavioral Health Bureau. It requires a final report by July 1, 2025, to evaluate the program’s effectiveness before deciding on continuation. The pilot applies only to Cabell County and ends after one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual dental coverage limit for West Virginia Medicaid enrollees aged 21 and older from an unspecified amount to $2,000 per year. It covers diagnostic/preventative services (like cleanings and x-rays) and restorative services (like fillings and crowns), but excludes cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening or veneers. The bill requires managed care organizations to provide quarterly education to enrollees about dental benefits starting July 2025, and mandates annual reports to the legislature on program usage, provider participation, and service types. The Bureau for Medical Services must also base West Virginia dental rates on national averages by July 2025.