Sen. Chris Rose

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 summarySB 260 clarifies residency requirements for voter registration and voting in West Virginia. It defines "legal resident" as requiring both physical presence in a state, county, or municipality and intent to remain there permanently, using factors like driver's licenses, tax payments, or vehicle registrations as evidence. The bill also requires voters to present a state or federal photo ID (such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID) to verify identity at polling places. This directly affects all West Virginia residents registering to vote or casting ballots, ensuring they meet specific residency and identification standards.

Maddy summarySB 43 updates West Virginia law to require certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to meet specific new credentialing standards when administering anesthetics under physician or dentist supervision. To qualify, CRNAs must now hold a registered nursing license, an advanced practice nursing license, graduate from an accredited nurse anesthetist program, and hold board certification from the National Board of Certification. The bill clarifies that this supervision requires active collaboration ("cooperation") between the CRNA and the physician or dentist, with each working within their respective expertise. This directly affects CRNAs, physicians, and dentists providing anesthesia services in the state.