Senate Bill 88 would create the West Virginia Clearance for Access: Registry and Employment Screening program. The program would require background and fingerprint checks on individuals who are applicants for employment with direct access to patients. There is a procedure for appeal if the applicant feels the information obtained during the background check is incorrect and a provision for a 60 day conditional employment pending the results of the background check. Finally, there is a provision that would authorize the State Police and DHHR to impose fees on applicants or providers for conducting the background check, collecting and maintaining fingerprints, and for maintenance of the technology system.
Senate Bill 89 amends current West Virginia Code relating to compensation of the Executive Director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Institute. This bill would allow the salary of the Executive Director to be established by the Prosecuting Attorneys Institute Executive Council and require it to be at least $70,000 annually.
Senate Bill 109 would exempt veterans’ organizations and active duty U.S. military organizations from the indoor smoking prohibition. The Committee substitute also establishes a procedure for exempting tracks and video lottery establishments from local smoking prohibitions.
Senate Bill 273 would clarify licensing and operational requirements for brewers, resident brewers and brewpubs by: permitting licensed brewers and resident brewers to conduct no intoxicating beer sampling on their brewery premises within the State of West Virginia, permitting a resident brewer to conduct growler sales for off-premises consumption from its brewery premises within the current resident brewer license for no additional expense, as is similarly permitted for distilleries, mini-distilleries, wineries and farm wineries, having a sliding scale of licensure fees based on production volume and sales, requiring production volume and sales reports to the commissioner and terminating the bond requirement for a brewpub license since the license may be suspended or revoked for failure to pay taxes.
Senate Bill 283 would simplify the process by which a bank can adjust the hours of operation for branch offices. It would also reduce the time that the Division of Financial Institutions has to act on an expedited application from 35 to 21 days.
Senate Bill 304 would amend a current section involving checks and money order sales, money transmission services, transportation and currency exchange by establishing an expiration date of December 31 for all licenses issued under this article. The bill also adds a new requirement that licensees must give advance notice of at least 60 days to the Commissioner of any proposed changes in control or change in principals.
Senate Bill 347 creates the Firearms Act of 2015. Under this act, it is not required to have a license to carry a concealed handgun, and it is authorized to carry a handgun for self-defense purposes while in the woods of West Virginia whether its concealed or not. This bill also sets up a procedure for concealed handgun license transfers upon moving from county to county, and limits the ability to prohibit firearms on properties to private persons and entities.
Senate Bill 373 would permit an image displayed on a wireless communication device to serve as proof of insurance on a motor vehicle. This bill would require that such image contain the same information required to be contained on a certificate of insurance. A committee substitute is suggested that defines it as ”a handheld device used to access a wireless telephone service or a text messaging device.”
Senate Bill 445 is a bill that clarifies that excess funds from the Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority be invested in the West Virginia Board Treasury investments or the West Virginia Investment Management.
Senate Bill 537 would change mandatory school instructional days to minutes. This bill would change the mandatory one hundred and eighty days to minutes based upon minimum amount of hours of instruction offered to students provided by state board rules.
