Sen. Brian Helton

Maddy summarySB 504 prohibits camping in public places like sidewalks, parks, streets, and under bridges without permission from authorities. It defines "camp" as temporarily residing with shelter (including tents or shelters for weather protection) and makes violations a misdemeanor punishable by fines ($100-$1,000), up to 40 hours of community service, or a free bus ticket to one of six cities for first offenses. Officers must first try to offer alternatives (like shelter services) before issuing citations, unless an immediate safety threat exists. The bill does not override stricter local camping bans but requires consistency with its penalties.

Maddy summarySB 481 amends West Virginia law to explicitly permit off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in public schools and school events. This change directly affects off-duty officers (including those with active law enforcement credentials) and public schools, clarifying that they are exempt from existing restrictions that prohibit weapons on school grounds. The bill modifies the exemption language in §61-7-11a(b)(2)(A) to specifically include "off duty" officers, removing ambiguity about whether current exemptions cover them. It does not change restrictions for civilians or other personnel, maintaining the existing prohibition for non-exempt individuals.

Maddy summarySB 444 would require a mandatory 3-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of illegally possessing Schedule I or II controlled substances (excluding cannabis). This applies to drugs like opioids, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, but not to cannabis or minor amounts of marijuana. The bill includes exceptions for people who were incidentally exposed to the drugs or forced to possess them, and allows conditional discharge for first-time offenders. It also specifies that possession of Schedule V drugs remains a misdemeanor with lesser penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover medically necessary dental procedures directly related to cancer treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy. It specifically covers services like exams, medications, dental devices, and rehabilitation needed to restore functions like eating, speaking, or swallowing after cancer care. Insurers must use a unique billing code ("West Virginia Code §33-64-1") for these services, with prescriptions for covered medications using a designated identifier. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to most health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act.

Maddy summarySB 440 requires all judicial candidates in West Virginia to file as partisan candidates (running under a political party label) and mandates they compete in both primary and general elections. The bill changes current nonpartisan judicial elections to partisan ones for all judicial positions - including Supreme Court justices, circuit judges, family court judges, magistrates, and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges - effective with the 2028 elections. It amends election code sections to specify that judicial races will use partisan ballots and require candidates to appear on both primary and general election ballots. The bill also updates ballot formatting requirements to include partisan labels for judicial offices. This is a procedural change to election administration, not a substantive policy shift.

Maddy summarySB 424, the "Restoring Sanity Act," prohibits West Virginia public schools and state universities from requiring instruction, curriculum content, or statements about specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, or biological sex. It bans teaching that one race/ethnicity/biological sex is inherently superior, that individuals are racist/sexist based solely on identity, or that people bear responsibility for others' actions due to their identity. The bill also prohibits state universities from maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or using funds for DEI initiatives, requiring those funds to instead support merit scholarships or reduce tuition. Additionally, it states school employees are not required to use a student’s preferred pronoun if inconsistent with their biological sex, and schools cannot be held liable for using the student’s biological sex-based pronoun.

Maddy summarySB 445 would allow West Virginia state legislators and legislative staff who already hold valid concealed carry permits to carry concealed handguns inside Capitol buildings. To do so, they must first register with Capitol Police and submit a signed letter of intent to carry. This changes current law, which prohibited concealed carry in Capitol buildings (though concealed weapons in locked vehicles was permitted). The bill does not affect other Capitol visitors or expand who may carry; it only modifies the process for existing permit holders among legislators and staff.

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 summaryThis bill prohibits camping in public spaces like sidewalks, parks, or under bridges without permission, defining "camp" as temporarily residing with shelter (including tents or makeshift structures). It makes violations a misdemeanor punishable by fines ($100-$1,000), community service (up to 40 hours), or a free bus ticket to select cities for first offenses. Officers must first offer alternative shelter options or contact service providers (e.g., for human trafficking prevention) before issuing citations, unless an immediate safety threat exists. The law does not override stricter local camping bans, allowing cities to enforce their own rules.

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.