As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2011, the 29th day of the 80th Legislature’s first Regular Session, 479 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of these, 24 passed in the Senate and have been sent to the House for its consideration. The bills passed by the Senate this week include:
Senate Bill 78 would require parental consent and accompaniment for a minor using a tanning device. The bill would require minors between the ages of 14 to 17 to present a parental consent form, and minors under the age of 14 must present the consent form, and also be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Senate Bill 186 would establish the West Virginia State Police as the entity that is authorized to issue administrative subpoenas to Internet service providers in cases of suspected child pornography. This bill gives the West Virginia State Police the authority to define offenses and set penalties and fees.
Senate Bill 195 would adjust the requirements for an individual to become a magistrate. The bill would require magistrates to possess a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree in criminal justice or at least four years of prior experience as a magistrate. The bill would go in effect in 2014.
Senate Bill 254 would make a supplementary appropriation of federal funds to the Development Office and the Division of Human Services – Energy Assistance.
Senate Bill 255 would make supplementary appropriations of remaining moneys to various accounts, such as the Governor’s Office, DHHR, Division of Rehabilitation Services, amoung other agencies.
Senate Bill 256 would require sex offenders to verify their e-mail and other online identities in the same way as they register their physical address.
Senate Bill 281 would make it a crime for a person to put certain types of invasive software such as, spyware or a virus, on mobile devices of another person without his/her consent or knowledge.
Senate Bill 349 would make it a requirement for a bittering agent to be placed in certain engine coolants and antifreezes to prevent personal injury or death of human beings and animals. If implemented, violation of this bill would be considered a misdemeanor.
Senate Bill 438 would change the election process for magistrates to be elected by division.
Senate Bill 265 would allow certain offenders to have contact with children, but only when the court finds it in the best interest of the child.
A Sampling of Bills Introduced In the Senate
Senate Bill 338 would authorize the state to opt out of a federal statute that would otherwise not allow an individual living in the state who has previously been convicted of a felony involving a controlled substance from receiving certain benefits provided by the Social Security Act and the Food Stamp Act.
Senate Bill 419 would create the “Health Care Choice Act” by seeking to increase the availability of health insurance coverage by allowing insurers authorized to sell insurance in Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia to issue accident and sickness policies in West Virginia.
Senate Bill 429 would provide educational scholarships for the children of war veterans. The scholarship would include tuition, institutional fees and standard room and board allowance. The bill would provide that the West Virginia Division of Veterans’ Affairs administer the scholarship program.
