Sen. Brian Helton

Maddy summarySB 77 would direct 5 percent of the coal severance tax (the tax on coal mining) to the specific counties where coal was extracted, after increasing the allocation from 1% in 2012 to 5% by 2016. Funds would be distributed quarterly based on each county's share of the state's coal production, capped at $20 million annually. Counties must use these funds exclusively for economic development and infrastructure projects like roads, broadband, or water systems, and cannot deposit them into general county funds.

Maddy summarySB 97, the West Virginia Chemical Abortion Prohibition Act, prohibits healthcare providers from prescribing or dispensing abortion drugs unless specific requirements are met. It requires a physical exam before the procedure, the provider’s presence during administration, a follow-up visit within seven days, and provision of a medical waste kit for disposal. Violations could result in fines up to $1,000 or up to three years in prison, though exceptions exist for life-saving procedures. The bill also mandates that drug manufacturers cover cleanup costs if abortion drugs are found in wastewater, and defines key terms like "chemical abortion" and "abortion drug" to clarify prohibited actions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 41 would allow West Virginia public school teachers to receive overtime pay for work performed on Saturdays, Sundays, or beyond regular school hours, but only with prior approval from both the State Board of Education and their school principal. The bill requires the State Board to establish overtime rates based on the state's minimum teacher salary schedule, ensuring Saturday/Sunday overtime is at least half the daily regular pay rate. This directly affects teachers who work extra hours, providing a structured process for compensation beyond standard workweeks. The bill does not set specific pay rates but mandates the State Board of Education to determine them. (4 sentences)

Maddy summarySB 90 requires West Virginia county school boards to publish an annual list of unused, closed, or unoccupied public buildings on a public website. It mandates that boards allow public charter schools access to these buildings without selling them to block school use, and gives charter schools up to two years to secure approval and complete necessary renovations. The bill specifies that charter schools must pay market-rate lease costs and cover all facility expenses (utilities, maintenance, repairs), while county boards remain responsible for pre-existing building debts. This directly affects charter schools seeking facilities and county school boards managing public property.

Maddy summarySB 69 requires physicians in West Virginia to notify a minor's parents before prescribing contraceptives. It directly affects minors under 18 who have not graduated high school and their parents, as defined in the bill. The key provision mandates that doctors provide parental notification for any FDA-approved contraceptive prescribed to these minors. The bill does not restrict access to contraceptives but creates a notification requirement before a prescription is given.

Maddy summarySB 17, the Fetal Heartbeat Act, bans most abortions in West Virginia once a fetal heartbeat is detected via ultrasound (typically around 6 weeks of pregnancy), affecting pregnant people seeking abortions and medical providers. The law applies only to intrauterine pregnancies and includes exceptions for medical emergencies that endanger a patient’s life or pose a serious risk of irreversible bodily harm. It defines "fetal heartbeat" as cardiac activity visible in the gestational sac and requires medical documentation of heartbeat detection. Violations could trigger criminal penalties or civil lawsuits, though the bill explicitly states it does not restrict existing laws beyond its specific provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retired teachers in West Virginia to work as substitute teachers for up to 180 days per academic year without losing their monthly retirement benefits. It directly affects retired teachers participating in the state Teachers Retirement System who wish to substitute. The bill establishes a clear 180-day annual limit (replacing inconsistent county calculations), requires the retirement board to set this standard, and permits retired teachers to choose whether to contribute to their retirement from substitute pay - though employers are not required to make contributions on their behalf. The change aims to address teacher shortages while preserving retirement benefits.

Maddy summarySB 94 mandates that West Virginia public schools include human growth and development instruction starting in grade 3, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The law requires specific curriculum materials, including a high-definition ultrasound video showing early fetal organ development and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video detailing human development from fertilization through birth. This requirement is part of the "Baby Olivia Act" and applies to all public schools in the state. The bill specifies that these videos must be used as part of health education courses, without allowing parental exemptions for this component.

Maddy summarySJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Bill of Rights, explicitly protecting the right to keep and bear arms. It prohibits state, county, municipal, and local government entities from restricting this right through regulations on ammunition capacity, caliber, carry methods, or other means. The amendment would require voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. If adopted, it would directly affect all West Virginians by preventing local and state governments from enacting most gun-related regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the "School Building Authority" to the "School Maintenance Authority" across West Virginia law, shifting its primary focus from financing new school construction to funding maintenance and repairs. It directly affects how school districts access state funds for facility upkeep, requiring county boards to update their 10-year facilities plans to prioritize maintenance over construction projects. Key provisions include updating all legal references to the new name and clarifying that the Authority’s purpose is now centered on "financing school maintenance" rather than construction. The change takes effect upon passage, altering how school facility funding decisions are made statewide.