The Senate Judiciary Committee met this afternoon to discuss Senate Bills 4 and 84 addressing crimes against public justice and restricting law enforcement surveillance.

SB4 would update existing state law by adding a new section related to crimes against public justice.

This bill would require individuals acting as bystanders to remain at least 25 feet away from first responders while they are engaged in lawful performance of their duties.

The bill would make it illegal to approach a first responder after receiving a verbal warning not to, with the intent of interfering with the responder’s duties, threatening the responder, or harassing the responder.

Senator Joey Gracia (D – Marion, 13) expressed concerns about the use of the word “intent” in the legislation addressing bystander conduct around first responders. He noted that “intent” is subjective and can be difficult to prove in court, as a person’s thoughts cannot be read.

He proposed an amendment to the language of the bill by replacing the word “intent” with “acting in a way to” and adding the words “or menace” after the word “threatening” to modify the bill’s language.

The amendment was adopted, and the bill, as amended, was sent to the Senate with a recommendation of passage.

SB84 would restrict law enforcement agencies from placing surveillance cameras on private property without the owner’s permission.

This bill prohibits the usage of surveillance technology by law enforcement without authorization, with the intent of protecting citizens’ privacy rights.

The bill was reported to the Senate with the recommendation of passage.

The Senate Health and Human Resources Committee met Thursday afternoon to discuss Senate Bills 518, 544, and 524.

Senate Bill 518 would require health insurance providers to remove cost-sharing for certain breast examinations.

This bill would prohibit insurance providers from imposing deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other similar out-of-pocket expenses for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations.

Supplemental breast examinations are defined in the legislation as medically necessary and clinically appropriate examinations using breast MRI and ultrasounds.

Such examinations are provided when a patient is receiving a follow-up exam for medical reasoning such as breast symptoms, abnormal screening, or a high-risk assessment outside of routine.

This legislation aims to release individuals from financial barriers who need follow-up or additional breast examinations.

The bill was reported to the floor with a recommendation of passage, first being referred to the committee on Finance.

Senate Bill 544 would provide kinship parents with temporary subsidy equal payment of a foster parent.

The subsidy payment becomes effective within 30 days of initial placement and will continue for no more than six months. If the kinship parent is not certified at the end of the six-month period, the payment is no longer available.

The kinship parent would also have to be deemed eligible before receiving payments, such as passing a background check. Specifics for eligibility and payments would be in new code: §49-2-815 under the Temporary increase in kinship payment subsidy section.

The bill was reported to the floor with a recommendation of passage, first being referred to the committee on Finance.

Senate Bill 524 would require monthly meetings of county entities to review child welfare services and improve coordination among local agencies.

The meetings would address inter-agent concerns and ensure timely responses to child abuse and neglect.

The bill was reported to the Senate with a recommendation of passage, first being referred to the committee on Finance.

Following the advancement of bills, the committee then discussed the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee, forming an additional subcommittee.

Senator Brian Helton (R – Fayette, 09), chair of the Health and Human Resources Committee, announced the subcommittee will focus on the lack of recovery treatment programs for juveniles in the state of West Virginia.

He announced Sen. Scott Fuller (R – Wayne, 05) as the chair of the committee and Sen. T. Kevan Bartlett (R – Kanawha, 08) and Sen. Joey Gracia (D – Marion, 13) to serve on the committee as well.

“It’s a worthy cause for this committee to drive the results for the state of West Virginia to get our juveniles in a better position”, Sen. Helton stated.