Sen. Mike Stuart

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 summarySCR 11 is a concurrent resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to rename Fields Creek Bridge No. 4.44 (bridge number 20-077/01-004.44) in Winifrede, Kanawha County, as the "Charlie Lee Jordan Memorial Bridge." It directly affects this specific bridge, which carries CR 77/01 over Fields Creek, by changing its official name to honor Charlie Lee Jordan, a lifelong local coal miner and resident who died in 2009. The resolution requires the Division of Highways to install signage identifying the bridge with this new name. As a commemorative resolution, it involves no policy changes or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 7) requests that West Virginia's Division of Highways name a 2.9-mile segment of Riverside Drive in Boone County - the portion between 5th and 4th Avenues in front of Madison Middle School - as "Cohen Wade Craddock Memorial Road." It commemorates Cohen Wade Craddock, a Madison Middle School student who died in 2024 after sustaining injuries during football practice. The resolution directs the Division of Highways to install signs marking the designated road segment. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new law but formally honors Cohen Wade Craddock.

Maddy summarySB 475 creates West Virginia's Violent Crime Prevention Act, requiring law enforcement to submit ballistic data to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) for firearms allegedly used in three specific offenses: felony crimes of violence against persons, domestic violence, or distribution of controlled substances. This applies to all West Virginia law enforcement agencies, which must submit the data within one month of charging an individual with one of these offenses. The bill directly affects law enforcement procedures by mandating this data submission as a standard part of investigations into violent firearm-related crimes. It establishes a clear timeframe for compliance but does not alter criminal penalties or create new offenses.

Maddy summarySB 432 requires West Virginia county boards of education to adopt policies limiting students' use of personal cell phones and other electronic devices (like smartwatches or tablets) during instruction periods. The bill defines "electronic communication devices" broadly and specifies exceptions only for medical, educational, or emergency purposes. This policy change directly affects all public K-12 schools in the state by mandating school boards to create and implement these device restrictions. The law focuses on minimizing distractions during class time, with no mention of penalties or enforcement mechanisms in the provided text.

Maddy summarySB 106 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Homeland Security to provide up to $25,000 in physical border security materials (like razor wire, cameras, and concrete) to support Texas border operations. The bill requires coordination with Texas officials, including the Governor's office and Border Patrol, to determine the most effective use of these resources. It directly affects West Virginia's state agency and Texas border authorities, focusing on tangible equipment rather than personnel or policy changes. The legislation cites a "crisis" at the southern border, referencing nearly one million encounters since October 2023, but does not address broader immigration policy. This is a limited, state-to-state aid provision with a strict financial cap.

Maddy summarySB 247, the Substance Abuse Intervention Act (also known as "Joel's Law"), creates a legal process for involuntary treatment of individuals with substance use disorders who meet specific criteria. It allows a spouse, relative, or friend to file a petition in court for up to 360 days of treatment if the person poses an imminent danger to themselves or others due to substance use and could benefit from care. The bill requires a court hearing within 14 days, a medical evaluation by two professionals 24 hours before the hearing, and a guarantee from the petitioner to cover all treatment costs. This law directly affects individuals with severe substance use disorders who meet the danger criteria and establishes court oversight to balance patient rights with public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to discuss non-opioid pain treatment options - including physical therapy, acupuncture, and other alternatives - with patients before prescribing strong opioids. It mandates that insurance companies cover up to 20 visits per pain episode for these non-opioid treatments (like physical therapy or chiropractic care) without higher out-of-pocket costs than a regular doctor visit. The state health department must also create and publish an online educational resource about non-opioid pain management options. These changes directly affect doctors, insurers, and patients seeking pain treatment in West Virginia.

Maddy summarySB 259 requires licenses for selling charitable raffle boards and games in West Virginia, exclusively directing 10% of gross sales to fund volunteer fire departments. It mandates sellers obtain a $250 annual license from the Tax Commissioner, with distributors required to be licensed and bonded. The bill ensures net proceeds from raffle sales flow to volunteer fire departments via state allocation, eliminating unlicensed sales that previously kept all revenue. This directly affects volunteer fire departments by creating a dedicated funding stream for their operations, while prohibiting local county-level exemptions. The legislation aims to replicate models like Ohio's, where licensed sales generate significant revenue for public safety organizations.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 246, the Violent Crime Prevention Act, requires law enforcement agencies to submit ballistics data to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) for specific violent crimes. It applies to cases involving felony crimes of violence against the person, domestic violence, or controlled substance distribution. Agencies must submit this data within one month of charging an individual for these offenses. The bill aims to improve crime linkage identification and community safety through enhanced ballistic data sharing.