The Senate met at 11:00 a.m. today and passed 16 bills, five of which originated in the House.
SB 702 allows a school district to develop programs including but not limited to an optional physical fitness program to teach nutrition and physical fitness. The bill also creates a fund from which money can be awarded on a competitive basis to qualifying school districts.
SB 490 addresses criminal offenses against agricultural facilities. The purpose of the bill is to protect these facilities by establishing that damaging, destroying, or depriving the operator of a facility of their property is a criminal offense. The bill males a person who commits such an offense liable for twice the amount of the damages they cause.
SB 746 provides contracted managed care companies with the uniform maternal screening tool for their own covered lives. The data collected by the tool will remain confidential with these contracted managed care companies.
Senate bills 265, 279, 306, 589, 597, 703, 706 and 712 were also passed and advanced to the House for further consideration.
Five House bills were passed on Monday.
HB 4166 prohibits sex offenders convicted of sexually violent offenses from having a supervisory position over children. This also applies to a person required to be on supervised release between the sentencing term of 10 years to life.
HB 2497 was also passed, which clarifies the protections given to an individual under the Whistle-Blower Law. The bill provides that an employer cannot retaliate or discriminate against an employee who reports illegal activity or corruption within the workplace.
HB 4476, 4470 and 4381 were also passed on Monday.
Additionally, the Senate completed legislation for two Senate bills and one House bill which were considered and returned with amendments by the House.
The Senate concurred with the House for Senate bill 310, which updates the terminology of certain terms used in the WV Personal Income Tax Act.
Senate 560 was also considered, which allows certain medical professionals to administer medication in nursing homes under the supervision of a registered nurse. The House proposed a technical amendment, which was amended and passed by the Senate.
The House rejected the Senate’s amendments for House bill 4179. This bill enters West Virginia Recognition of Emergency Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact. The Senate receded from their amendments and legislation was completed.
Senate bills 797-836 were introduced and referred to the appropriate committees.
The Senate adopted Resolution 41, designating February 17, 2020 as Pancreatic Cancer Day at the legislature. The Senate also adopted Resolution 42, celebrating the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. After remarks from the Senate in support of this resolution, a brief recess was held for the presentations of each resolution.
Resolution 43 was also adopted, recognizing President George Washington and President Abraham Lincoln for Presidents’ Day.
The Senate is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.
The Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will meet at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in room 451M.
