Sen. Kevan Bartlett

Maddy summarySB 136 increases penalties for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in West Virginia. It raises the minimum prison term for second-degree murder from 10 to 15 years (maximum from 40 to 60 years) and for voluntary manslaughter from 3 to 5 years (maximum from 15 to 25 years). The bill also requires inmates convicted of these crimes to serve at least 15 years before becoming eligible for parole (previously 10 years), and increases parole eligibility requirements for life sentences. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter under West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia public schools to implement wearable panic alert systems for all school employees by December 2025. It mandates that each employee receives a device enabling immediate emergency contact and campus-wide lockdown notifications, with annual training required before each school year. The law also requires county school boards to share security data (like camera feeds and facility maps) with local law enforcement and establish access protocols. The system must integrate with 9-1-1 services, directly affecting school staff, administrators, and local emergency responders.

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 summarySB 429 creates a tax credit covering up to 50% of the cost for West Virginia veterans' lifetime hunting or fishing licenses. It applies to West Virginia residents who were honorably discharged from military service and have already purchased a lifetime license. The credit is capped at half the standard adult fee for such licenses and can only be applied once against state income taxes in the year the license was purchased. It does not cover annual licenses or allow unused credit to carry forward to future tax years.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how West Virginia fills vacancies in the state Senate or House of Delegates. It requires political parties to submit a list of three qualified candidates to the Governor, following their state executive committee's rules, rather than allowing other party members to propose names. It also adds a new requirement that any appointed official must have resided within the district they will represent for at least one year before appointment. The Governor must appoint from the submitted list within five days, with strict deadlines for submission (15 days after vacancy). This affects the Governor, political parties, and potential appointees by standardizing the vacancy process.

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 510, the "Creating Stable Energy Rates Protection Act," prohibits West Virginia's Public Service Commission from including costs for wind or solar energy facilities in utility rate increases. Specifically, the Commission cannot approve rate hikes based on construction, operation, maintenance, or decommissioning costs for new wind or solar projects. Existing contracts signed before the law's effective date are exempt, but no future rate increases can use costs from new commitments under those contracts. The Commission must annually report to the Legislature on the policy's impact on energy rates and reliability. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 507 prohibits drag performances in public venues where minors could attend, specifically banning them in schools, libraries, and other public spaces. It defines "drag performance" as shows where performers use clothing/makeup to exaggerate gender identity for entertainment, intended to appeal to prurient interest. The bill also prohibits state agencies from using public funds to host such performances. This directly affects schools, libraries, and state-funded events by restricting where drag shows may occur. The law amends West Virginia’s obscenity statutes to add this specific restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes requirements for clothing allowances for children in foster care in West Virginia. It mandates that foster parents, kinship caregivers, or residential providers assess each child's clothing and essential item needs at placement, requiring an initial allowance of at least $375 to cover an adequate wardrobe (season-appropriate, good-condition clothing that fits the child) and approved necessities like hygiene products. For ongoing needs, it allows supplemental allowances up to $175 per instance for unexpected issues like damaged clothing or illness. Payments must primarily use a reloadable instant card (issued within 48 hours), with purchasing cards or reimbursement as secondary options.

Maddy summarySB 466 would make all vaccinations voluntary in West Virginia, removing current requirements for school enrollment, attendance, or employment. The bill eliminates mandatory vaccination rules for diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough that currently apply to students entering school or child care. It requires health officials to provide immunization information to parents upon request for newborns but removes the requirement for schools or employers to mandate vaccines. The bill preserves existing medical exemption processes and free vaccine access for low-income families. This change directly affects all West Virginia residents, particularly parents, students, and employers.