Updates on bills the following bills from previous Make Some Noise alerts: SB 299, SB 460, and HB 2400; plus new actions on SB 154, HB 2117, HB 2382, and HB 2187.
Our position on all bills is OPPOSE.
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Senate contacts: https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate/
SB 299 will be up for a vote by the full Senate later this week along with SB 154.
SB 299 denies access to necessary gender-affirming healthcare. (On first reading March 4)
SB 154 prohibits instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools, and it requires notification of parent/guardian if a student requests an accommodation related to gender identity. This puts a child’s safety at risk. (On second reading March 4)
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House contacts: https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house/
SB 460 hasn’t come up for Mark Up & Passage in House Health (health@wvhouse.gov) yet, but it could be back on the agenda at any time, possibly this week.
SB 460 will relax WV’s first-in-the-Nation childhood vaccination standards. At least one child has died from a current and growing measles outbreak in Texas, which has lax vaccination standards.
HB 2400 prohibits distribution of absentee ballot applications—public documents. The bill is parked on the inactive calendar because its provisions have been amended into HB 2117.
HB 2117 changes date for mail-in ballots to be received by clerk, and after being amended in committee, prohibits distribution of absentee ballot applications. HB 2117 is on first reading March 4.
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Legal Services, a subcommittee of House Judiciary (legal.services@wvhouse.gov and judiciary@wvhouse.gov), is advancing:
HB 2382, a statewide camping ban, which will criminalize homelessness under the guise of protecting public health. A similar ordinance is on the ballot for repeal in Morgantown’s city election in April as a result of a citizen petition.
House Education (education@wvhouse.gov) has on its March 3 agenda:
HB 2187, to permit teachers in elementary and secondary schools to carry concealed firearms, stun guns, and tasers.
Under House rules, each bill is considered in committee over two days. This is day one for HB 2187.