Sen. Rollan Roberts

Maddy summarySB 710 establishes regulations for teledentistry services in the state, directly affecting dentists, dental practices, and patients seeking remote dental care. The bill sets clear standards for when and how dentists can provide consultations, diagnoses, and treatment plans via video or phone, including requirements for patient consent and record-keeping. It also clarifies that teledentistry services must comply with the same licensing and scope-of-practice rules as in-person care. The law, signed into effect on April 24, 2025, ensures consistent access to remote dental services while maintaining patient safety standards.

Maddy summarySB 537 establishes the WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program, providing direct support to low-income pregnant women and new mothers in West Virginia. The program, administered by the state health department, offers prenatal care, nutrition assistance, and social services to eligible individuals. It creates a new state-funded initiative to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The bill became law after approval by the governor on April 30, 2025, and was enacted as Chapter 203 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summarySB 617 defines "gang" as any group of three or more people engaging in specific crimes, and creates new criminal penalties for gang membership and recruitment. It makes joining a gang or assisting in gang-related crimes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $25,000 fine, separate from the underlying crimes. The bill also adds penalties for intimidating witnesses in gang-related cases, with up to 10 years in prison. This law directly affects individuals who join gangs or recruit others, targeting ongoing criminal activity under West Virginia's Anti-Organized Criminal Enterprise Act.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 50 is a non-binding request to the federal government to study and implement waterway restoration projects in West Virginia. The resolution specifically asks federal agencies to evaluate and act on debris removal, river bed stabilization, and restoration of natural water flow patterns to address existing flooding damage and prevent future flooding. It was prompted by historic flooding in West Virginia during winter and spring 2025, which left streams and rivers filled with debris that continues to damage property and infrastructure. The resolution requests federal action to mitigate these issues and reduce future recovery costs. This resolution is addressed to President Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk, in his alleged capacity as a special government employee.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 911 creates a new "adjunct teaching permit" for individuals with a bachelor's degree and relevant experience, allowing them to fill vacant teaching positions, launch new classes, or supplement existing programs only when no certified teacher in that subject is available and willing to take the role. Adjunct teachers must complete specific training, be paired with a mentor, and cannot teach special education. County schools can set their own pay and benefits with the adjunct teacher, and must report adjunct hires to the state education department while posting openings publicly. This bill directly affects school districts hiring adjunct staff and the teachers seeking those positions.

Maddy summarySB 723 requires clinical inpatient medical treatment centers for substance use disorder in West Virginia to meet specific standards. Centers must ensure at least 85% of patients are West Virginia residents (verified quarterly), provide an integrated care model (including dental checkups, routine health screenings, and overdose prevention), and transition 100% of graduates to aftercare (with at least 70% placed in certified recovery residences). The bill mandates quarterly reporting to the Office of the Inspector General on patient demographics, placement rates, medication continuity, job readiness assistance, and dental services. Centers must also document barriers to job entry and help patients obtain identification documents before discharge.

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 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 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 summarySCR 23 is a resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC). The study will examine the commission's mission, effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, accountability, and whether a performance evaluation would be appropriate. The committee must gather input from coaches, parents, and athletes and report findings to the 2026 legislative session. The WVSSAC manages high school sports and activities, funded by ticket sales and corporate sponsors rather than taxpayer money. This resolution follows concerns about the commission's operations that prompted a similar reform bill with over 20 sponsors.