Sen. Mark Maynard

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 13) memorializes Wanda Porterfield Casto, a 34-year part-time Senate Secretary/Administrative Assistant who served the West Virginia Senate and dedicated her life to public service. The resolution formally honors her legacy as a wife, mother, grandmother, and public servant, extending the Senate's deepest sympathies to her family following her passing on May 20, 2024. It directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to her family. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact and serves solely to recognize her contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes restrictions on carrying firearms and pepper spray on sidewalks and streets directly bordering the West Virginia State Capitol Complex. It clarifies that lawful firearm carriers may carry weapons on these public sidewalks and streets, which were previously subject to ambiguity under existing law. The change specifically applies to areas surrounding the Capitol grounds, not the grounds themselves, and aligns with current provisions allowing firearms in locked vehicles on Capitol property. The bill does not alter existing rules for carrying weapons on Capitol grounds or within the Capitol building.

Maddy summarySB 596 would codify a "Parents' Bill of Rights" in West Virginia law, establishing that parents have fundamental rights to direct their children's upbringing, education (including school choice between public, private, religious, or home schools), and medical care. It requires the state to demonstrate a "compelling interest" with narrow tailoring if restricting these rights and allows parents to sue the state or officials for violations. The bill applies to all state and local laws, rules, or ordinances affecting parental rights, while explicitly excluding protection for child abuse, neglect, or medical treatments the state has reasonably restricted. It directly affects all parents in West Virginia with children in education or healthcare systems.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 3) creates a Select Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health for the Eighty-Seventh Legislature. The committee, appointed by the Senate Presiding Officer (up to 17 members), will gather information on prevention, treatment, research, policies, access to care, and funding related to substance use disorders and mental health. It may meet during legislative interims and has jurisdiction over related legislative proposals, operating under Senate committee rules. This is a procedural resolution establishing a committee, not a law changing policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts home producers from most state food regulations for selling nonpotentially hazardous foods (like baked goods, jams, or non-alcoholic beverages) directly to consumers. It applies to individuals producing these items at their residential property, excluding dairy, meat, poultry, or alcoholic products. Producers must sell directly to consumers (not through retailers), deliver items to consumers, and provide required notices about the food's origin. The exemption covers licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling requirements for these specific foods, while potentially hazardous foods (like dairy) still require department permits and oversight.

Maddy summarySB 575 defines "community air monitoring programs" as non-governmental air quality monitoring systems operated by community groups (excluding those run by state agencies, the EPA, or polluters). It prohibits West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection from using data collected through these programs for regulatory actions, including issuing fines, enforcement cases, rulemaking, or permitting decisions against polluters. The bill requires the state to verify monitoring equipment validity if community data is presented in violation complaints, but explicitly bars the use of such data for regulatory purposes under the Clean Air Act. This bill directly affects community monitors and state environmental enforcement processes.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 286 grants parents and legal guardians direct access to their minor child's health records without requiring the child's permission, except in four specific cases: the child has graduated high school, is emancipated, married, or if a criminal case for child abuse is pending against the parent. The bill removes the need for healthcare providers to obtain a minor's authorization for parents to access records, aligning with existing HIPAA guidelines. It also ensures managed care organizations, child placing agencies, and temporary custodians can access a child's medical records. This change applies to all healthcare providers and child welfare entities in West Virginia, streamlining access while maintaining clear exceptions.

Maddy summarySB 425 would change West Virginia's judicial elections from nonpartisan to partisan for all judges and magistrates. It removes the requirement for nonpartisan elections of Supreme Court Justices, Intermediate Court of Appeals judges, circuit court judges, family court judges, and magistrates. The bill modifies ballot designs to eliminate nonpartisan references for judicial offices and adjusts campaign finance limits for contested judicial races. This change affects all judicial candidates running for these positions statewide, shifting elections to align with partisan political processes. The bill also revises procedures for filling judicial vacancies and modifies the Supreme Court's financing program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public schools in West Virginia to notify a minor's parent or guardian before dispensing contraceptives to students under 18. It applies directly to public schools and parents of minors receiving contraceptive services. The key provision mandates written parental notification prior to dispensing any FDA-approved contraceptive drug or device intended to prevent pregnancy. The bill also defines "contraceptive" as any FDA-approved method for preventing pregnancy. This is a procedural requirement focused on notification, not on restricting access to contraceptives.

Maddy summarySB 68 limits landowner liability when land is used for military training, law enforcement training, homeland defense training, noncommercial recreation, or wildlife propagation. It removes the duty for landowners to keep such land safe or warn visitors about hazards, and clarifies that granting access for these purposes doesn’t create legal responsibility for injuries. Exceptions apply if landowners charge fees exceeding $50 per year per participant for recreation, or if injuries result from deliberate, willful, or malicious acts. The bill also clarifies that visitors must still exercise due care and defines "noncommercial recreation" to exclude activities charging more than the $50 annual fee limit.