Today, the House passed three bills, including House Bill 2184 and House Bill 2972.
House Bill 2184 increases the criminal penalties for intentionally exposing a government representative including EMS personnel to fentanyl or any other harmful drug or chemical agent. The bill sets guidelines for misdemeanor exposure and felony exposure. A misdemeanor exposure is intentionally possessing and exposing a government representative. A misdemeanor conviction carries a fine of no more than $500 or confinement to jail for one month to one year. A felony exposure is intentionally possessing and exposing a government representative to fentanyl or other harmful drug or chemical agent in which the representative is physically harmed by such drug or agent. A felony conviction carries a fine of no more than $2,000 and/or imprisonment in a state correctional facility for two to five years.
Proponents of HB 2184 stressed the importance of protecting the first responders, who protect us. Opponents spoke of the increasing incarceration rates and overcrowded prisons.
House Bill 2972 permits the manufacture of up to 100 gallons of home manufactured liquor per calendar year in households with two or more persons over 21 years of age for personal or family use. If there is only one person over the age of 21, then the household may only manufacture 50 gallons for personal use. The liquor manufactured under this section of code may not be sold or offered for sale. In West Virginia, law similar to this bill exists for beer and wine.
Several bills moved to third reading, including a couple relating to education.
House Bill 4065 requires hunter safety programs to be offered once per school year at every public middle school in the state and in public high schools where demand is sufficient.
House Bill 4074, Meghan’s Law, requires the state board of education to establish training requirements for public school employees on students’ self-harm behaviors and eating disorders. The bill requires yearly education of middle and high school students regarding self-harm behavior, eating disorder signs, prevention, and treatment.
House Bill 4252, the insulin co-pay cap bill, and House Bill 4276, the Parkinson’s disease registry bill, were on first reading today. The bills will be up for passage later this week. Here is more about these two bills.
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, January 25, 2022.
Committees – Today
The Committee on Veteran’s Affairs and Homeland Security will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Pensions and Retirement will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460.
The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 1:45 p.m. in the House Chamber.
The Select Committee on Coalfield Communities will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.
The Education Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 434.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
The Finance Committee will continue with budget hearings at 3 p.m. in Room 460.
Committees – Tomorrow, January 25, 2022
The Finance Committee will continue with budget hearings at 9 a.m. in Room 460.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 410.
