The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved eight bills and three originating concurrent resolutions to be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that they pass.
HB 2704 would prohibit persons convicted of sexual offenses against children with whom they hold positions of trust from holding certification or license valid in public schools.
Committee counsel made an amendment to correct technical problems and clarify certain language in the bill.
The bill was previously reported out of Senate Education with the recommendation that it pass.
HB 2781 would require voters to provide a photo identification when voting.
Committee counsel made an amendment to correct technical problems and clarify certain language in the bill.
HB 2684 would impose penalties for repeat violations of the prohibition on driving under the influence on a suspended license by persons under the age of twenty-one.
Committee counsel made an amendment to correct technical problems and clarify certain language in the bill.
HB 2648 would increase the minimum sentence for individuals convicted of manufacturing, delivering or transporting controlled substances in the presence of a minor.
Committee counsel made an amendment to correct technical problems and clarify certain language in the bill.
HB 2675 would designate the placement of nonpartisan judicial offices on the primary election ballot.
Senator Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, made an amendment to allow members of a party to indicate their preference for none of the presidential candidates in a primary election.
Committee counsel made an amendment to correct technical problems and clarify certain language in the bill.
HB 2674 would provide access to and receipt of certain information regarding protected persons by certain relatives of the protected person.
Committee counsel made an amendment to correct technical problems and clarify certain language in the bill.
HB 2620 would create a central repository of drug overdose information in West Virginia.
DHHR Commissioner Dr. Rahul Gupta was available to answer questions from committee members and said he supported the bill’s potential for informing public policy and improving state programs.
“This is the single best thing we can do right now to combat this drug epidemic,” said Gupta. “This is an all-hands-on-deck approach.”
Committee counsel made an amendment to correct technical problems and clarify certain language in the bill.
HB 2359 would align the criminal penalties of practicing osteopathic medicine with those of practicing allopathic medicine.
Senator Ronald Miller, D-Greenbrier, amended the bill to incorporate the provisions of HB 2630 into the bill.
The bill was previously reported out of Senate Government Organization with the recommendation that it pass.
Originating Concurrent Resolution 4 would request the Joint Committee to study the need for a medical malpractice peer review panel by the Board of Medicine.
Senator Mike Romano, D-Harrison, amended the resolution to require the committee to study the benefits and detriments of a peer review panel and allow parties affected by the panel to be involved in the study process.
Originating Concurrent Resolution 5 would request the Joint Committee to study the need for a Sentencing Commission.
Senator Miller amended the resolution to include a study of incarceration and prison operation costs and to seek outside study from the Council of State Governments.
Originating Concurrent Resolution 2 would request the Joint Committee to study the feasibility and benefits of repealing sections of the WV Constitution relating to property taxes.
At the adjournment of the meeting, Senator Charles Trump, R-Morgan, Chair, thanked the committee members for their dilligent work and said this could possibly be the committee’s last meeting for the session.
