Sen. Brian Helton

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 44) honoring basketball legend Jerry West, a native of West Virginia. It memorializes his life and legacy, recognizing his birth in Chelyan, West Virginia; his high school and college career at West Virginia University; his NBA playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers; and his contributions to basketball as a player, coach, and executive. The resolution also acknowledges his philanthropy, including the Jerry West Scholarship for WVU students. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal tribute expressing the Senate's respect and extending sympathy to his family.

Maddy summarySB 470, the WV Athletic Freedom Act, allows West Virginia high school students, coaches, and athletic trainers to participate in outside sports teams or events without being barred from school sports. It prohibits school districts and the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission from restricting this outside participation as a condition for school team membership. However, coaches retain the right to prevent players from missing team practices or games due to outside activities, and team requirements must take priority during postseason play. The law aims to expand athletic opportunities while maintaining school team obligations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to change West Virginia's constitution, removing the prohibition on incorporating churches or religious denominations. If approved by voters, it would allow religious groups to form legal entities (incorporate) if they choose, while maintaining existing laws governing church property ownership, sale, and transfer. The amendment specifically revises Article VI, Section 47 of the state constitution to state that "incorporation of religious denominations is permitted" rather than prohibited. It does not create new requirements but clarifies that churches may opt to incorporate under general laws, with no direct impact on existing unincorporated religious organizations.

Maddy summarySB 933, the Small Business Protection Act, increases revenue thresholds requiring small businesses to obtain licenses or pay business taxes. It raises the annual revenue limit for sole proprietors and independent contractors to avoid municipal business licenses from $10,000 to a higher amount (exact figure unspecified in text), and increases the revenue threshold for exemption from business and occupation taxes. The bill directly affects small businesses operating within West Virginia municipalities by reducing their regulatory burden and tax obligations when revenue remains below these new thresholds. It amends existing tax code sections (§8-13-4, §8-13-5) to implement these changes.

Maddy summarySB 726 requires all West Virginia medication-assisted treatment (MAT) centers licensed or registered under state law to adopt an "integrated-care model" by July 1, 2026. This model mandates onsite medical services - including routine health screenings, STD testing, vaccinations, basic illness treatment, and overdose prevention - alongside addiction counseling, all provided by licensed professionals during center hours. Centers must also obtain informed consent from patients at program entry and quarterly, with regular client assessments to support physical and mental well-being. An exemption applies to centers already following specific federal guidelines (like ASAM’s), requiring only consent and assessment compliance, while still referring patients to primary care every three months. The bill also mandates reporting to the Legislature on telehealth services and requires new rules defining professional standards for care providers.

Maddy summarySJR 8 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all voters in West Virginia elections to be U.S. citizens. The amendment would add language to the state constitution stating: "Only citizens of the state who are citizens of the United States shall be entitled to vote at all elections." This would codify the existing requirement that voters must be U.S. citizens, which is already enforced under current law. The proposal must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 85 prohibits the mailing, distribution, prescribing, or dispensing of abortifacients (drugs intended to cause abortion) within West Virginia. It specifically bans sending abortifacients via mail to residents, placing them in commerce for use in the state, prescribing them (even by out-of-state providers), or distributing without a valid prescription. Violations by non-medical professionals carry felony charges with 3-10 year prison sentences, while medical license revocation is possible for licensed providers. The law includes exceptions for medical emergencies that threaten a patient's life or major bodily function, as defined in the bill. This directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and anyone involved in distributing abortion-related medications in West Virginia.

Maddy summarySB 850, the "Protecting Investors Act," requires corporate fiduciaries (like board members) to prioritize financial returns for shareholders over non-financial priorities, such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, when making investment decisions. The bill defines "pecuniary interest" as financial return and "non-pecuniary interest" as anything else, including ESG initiatives. If a fiduciary prioritizes ESG or similar non-financial goals over shareholder financial interests, it becomes automatic evidence of a breach of fiduciary duty. This law directly affects corporate decision-makers in West Virginia who manage investments for shareholders.

Maddy summarySB 632 prevents surprise billing for out-of-network ambulance services by requiring insurers to pay non-participating ambulance providers directly at a capped rate (400% of Medicare's published rate for similar services in the area, or the provider's billed charge, whichever is lower). It prohibits ambulance agencies from charging patients for any costs beyond their standard copay, coinsurance, or deductible amounts. The bill applies to ground ambulance services (excluding air ambulances) covered under health insurance policies issued after January 1, 2026, and mandates insurers pay claims within 30 days or provide written denial notices explaining the reason. This directly affects patients who use out-of-network ambulances and ambulance providers who previously faced billing disputes.

Maddy summarySB 707 increases payments by 25% for therapists and other contracted professionals providing in-person early intervention services to children with developmental delays through West Virginia's Birth-to-Three program. It directly affects non-state-employee therapists and professionals working under contract with the program. The bill amends the Birth-to-Three Fund provisions to require this higher payment rate for in-person services starting July 1, 2025. This is a concrete payment adjustment, not a change to program eligibility or service delivery methods.