Maddy summarySB 1078 clarifies rules for schools to stock and use epinephrine auto-injectors to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). It allows schools to maintain epinephrine supplies without requiring a prior diagnosis for each student or staff member, and permits trained non-medical staff (including bus drivers) to administer it during emergencies if they reasonably believe anaphylaxis is occurring. The bill specifies that epinephrine must be stored securely, accessible only to medical personnel or designated trained staff, and can be used for students with existing prescriptions or in emergency situations. This directly affects schools, students, staff, and visitors who may experience allergic reactions during school activities or transportation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 1075 creates a dedicated "Tobacco Cessation Initiative Program Special Revenue Account" in West Virginia's state treasury, managed by the Bureau for Public Health. It directs $5 million annually - starting July 2026 - from interest earned on the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund to fund tobacco use cessation programs. The bill specifies these funds must be used exclusively for cessation services, such as counseling and nicotine replacement therapies, administered by the Bureau for Public Health. This initiative directly affects West Virginians seeking tobacco cessation support through state-funded programs.
Maddy summarySB 1045 clarifies how legal documents (service of process) can be properly delivered to limited liability companies (LLCs) in West Virginia when they lack a registered agent or cannot be reached through one. It specifies three scenarios where service via the Secretary of State is valid: if a company agent signs the return receipt, if mailed documents are refused with proof, or if they are undeliverable with postal proof. This affects LLCs operating in West Virginia that fail to maintain a registered agent or have an uncontactable agent. The bill streamlines the process for courts and the Secretary of State’s office by defining clear, verifiable methods for valid service.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 1019 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover medically necessary treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate. This applies directly to individuals with these congenital conditions, particularly children, who rely on insurance for surgical and medical care. The bill mandates coverage for all necessary treatments without excluding specific procedures, ensuring plans cover the full range of care deemed medically appropriate by a physician. It sets eligibility and defines coverage terms but does not specify cost-sharing details or financial limits.
Maddy summarySB 1016, the "Second Look Sentencing Act," allows West Virginia judges to reconsider prison sentences of 10+ years for individuals who committed offenses before age 25 and have served at least 10 years. The bill requires courts to evaluate factors like rehabilitation efforts, maturity, victim input, and the defendant's age at the time of the crime before reducing a sentence. If approved, sentences may be reduced to time served or modified with up to five years of supervised release, while ensuring defendants have a right to a hearing with appointed counsel. The law specifically targets young offenders whose circumstances may have changed significantly after a decade in prison, aiming to balance public safety with opportunities for reintegration.
Maddy summarySB 549 would increase the daily payment for jurors in West Virginia from a current range of $15 to $40 per day to a new range of $40 to $100 per day. This change applies to both trial jurors (petit jurors) and grand jurors serving on court cases. The bill replaces the previous minimum of $15 with a new minimum of $40 and raises the maximum from $40 to $100. The reimbursement remains determined by the court and paid from the state treasury, but ensures jurors receive at least $40 per day.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides $25,800 in additional funding from unspent state funds to the Department of Veterans' Assistance for building maintenance and repairs under the Veterans’ Facilities Support Fund (Fund 6703). It directly affects veterans' facilities by supplementing existing resources for facility upkeep, using a balance remaining unappropriated for fiscal year 2026. The funding is drawn from the existing $1,800,000 balance in the fund, not new money. The bill was introduced at the Governor’s request to support veterans' infrastructure needs.
Maddy summarySB 398 removes the requirement that the State Health Officer, Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health, and Commissioner of the Bureau of Senior Services must work full-time and cannot hold other jobs. This bill amends West Virginia law (sections §16-1-5 and §16-5P-4) to eliminate the prohibition on these officials engaging in other business, occupations, or employment. The change aims to make these leadership roles more attractive to qualified candidates by allowing greater flexibility in their employment. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Health and Human Resources committee.
Maddy summarySB 987 amends West Virginia's Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in employment, public accommodations, and housing. The bill adds these categories to existing protected characteristics like race, religion, and disability, defining "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" for clarity. It directly affects employers (with 12+ employees), businesses serving the public, and housing providers across the state. The legislation expands the scope of the Human Rights Act to cover these new protected classes under the same legal framework. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee after its February 18, 2026, introduction.
Maddy summarySB 980 clarifies that the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney in West Virginia is exempt from the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill amends the law to explicitly state that this office is not a "custodian of records," meaning records related to crime investigations held by prosecuting attorneys are not subject to public disclosure. This change directly affects prosecuting attorneys' offices by confirming that their internal case materials remain confidential under current law. The bill does not create new exemptions but provides clear language to prevent misinterpretation of existing rules.