Sen. Kevan Bartlett

Maddy summarySB 727 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DHS) to hire an independent third party to conduct a comprehensive study of the state's child welfare system. The study must examine specific areas like court performance, foster care placement processes, family reunification efforts, and potential efficiency improvements, with findings due to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary by September 1, 2026. DHS will cover all costs of the study and must provide the third party with necessary information under confidentiality agreements. This bill mandates a neutral, evidence-based review to identify systemic issues and recommend improvements, without altering existing laws.

Maddy summarySB 706 requires the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) to obtain legislative approval before implementing any new rules or changes to existing education regulations. Currently, the WVDE can issue such rules without direct legislative review, but this bill would mandate that the legislature must approve all proposed education rules before they take effect. The bill also requires the State Board of Education to submit proposed rules to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability for review. This change would shift oversight so that the legislature formally reviews and approves education-related policies, affecting how state education regulations are enacted.

Maddy summarySB 674 allows West Virginia students to use the Classical Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative to the ACT or SAT for college admissions and financial aid eligibility. Public colleges must accept CLT scores for admission, and students need a minimum score of 19 (or equivalent) on the CLT, ACT, or SAT to qualify for financial aid. The bill requires high schools to offer the CLT, ACT, or SAT to students in grades 9-12 and the CLT10 or PSAT to students in grades 9-10. School districts may seek reimbursement for related testing fees. This directly affects West Virginia public school students and higher education institutions.

Maddy summarySB 667 requires all public elementary and secondary schools in West Virginia to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates that the display must meet specific size requirements (at least 16x20 inches), include the exact text listed in the bill, and be legible from any point in the classroom. Schools may accept private donations of compliant displays or replace non-compliant ones using public funds or donations. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools in the state, with no exemptions specified for classroom content.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 675 requires hospitals and clinics participating in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program (called "340B covered entities") to annually report detailed financial data to the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy by April 1. This includes costs for drugs purchased under the program, payments received from insurers, payments to contracted pharmacies, and how savings are used for charity care or community health services. The data must be reported by payer type (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare), remains confidential, and the Board must then compile and publish an annual summary by November 15 for state lawmakers and the public. The bill aims to increase transparency about how 340B program savings benefit underserved patients.

Maddy summarySB 692 amends West Virginia's PROMISE Scholarship program to include the Classical Learning Test as an acceptable college entrance exam for eligibility, alongside existing tests like the SAT and ACT. This change directly affects West Virginia high school students applying for the PROMISE Scholarship who wish to use the Classical Learning Test scores instead of traditional standardized exams. The bill does not alter other requirements, such as maintaining a 3.0 GPA, completing 20 hours of community service, or meeting citizenship criteria. The amendment applies to all PROMISE Scholarship applicants under the program's existing framework.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 672 requires K-12 public school students in West Virginia to store personal cell phones in a secure container (like a lockbox) during instructional time. This applies to all students in public schools (excluding certain charter schools) and directly affects their daily classroom experience. Exceptions include medical needs (e.g., diabetes management), teacher-approved educational use, emergency service roles, IEP requirements, English language learning support, or family communication during class. The bill mandates school boards to adopt clear policies for implementation and parent/student notification.

Maddy summarySB 659, the "Parents' Bill of Rights," codifies specific rights for parents of minor children in West Virginia. It directly affects parents by establishing their fundamental right to direct their child's education, health care, moral upbringing, and access to school records without government interference. Key provisions include requiring state entities to demonstrate "compelling state interest" before infringing parental rights, listing specific parental rights (e.g., choosing schools, making health decisions), and allowing parents to sue for violations. The bill creates a legal framework for parents to seek remedies like injunctions or damages if their rights are violated by schools, government, or officials.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 633, the "Protecting Kids from Porn Act," requires commercial adult websites (those offering over 25% explicit content) to implement strict age verification before allowing access to minors. This includes mandatory biometric facial recognition, government ID, and credit card authentication for users, with re-verification every 24 hours. Websites failing to comply face $1 million per violation, permanent state blocking, and civil liability up to $10,000 per minor exposed. The law prohibits circumvention via VPNs or proxies and establishes an Attorney General enforcement unit to audit compliance. It directly affects adult content platforms operating in West Virginia, not general internet users.

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.