News From the House

News From the House
Weeks 1, 2
By David Kelley
It was my honor to have been appointed to the position of Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee for the second regular session of the 86th Legislature. I’m looking forward with newly appointed Chair, Tom Fast in advancing good legislation out of the committee to the full body. I am also continuing my position as Chair of Jails and prisons. While we made great strides around corrections during this past summers’ special session, we still have a very long way to go.
“Tom is not only a well-respected attorney in his private life, but he also has a reputation for asking the kinds of detailed questions that help us create effective laws,” Hanshaw said. “And with Delegate Kelly’s perspective from his background in law enforcement, I know that committee will continue to do the deliberative, heavy lifting it’s become known for.”
Since we gaveled out in March, the House has seen 10 of its members resign for various reasons. The process of replacing them is ongoing.
At the end of week one, Judiciary and Health and Himan Resources had advanced legislation.
In the first full week of legislation we were able to pass four bills:
House Bill 4190: This bill directs the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety to develop a statewide Purple alert plan for the purpose of assisting to locate cognitively impaired or other at-risk individuals. This will be like existing Amber alerts, Silver alerts.
House Bill 4252: The Bill permits law enforcement to recognize Canadian Domestic Violence Protective orders providing that the reasons for the issuance of the Canadian Protective order would be recognized in the United States
House Bill 4274: This bill is a continuation of last years restructuring of former West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. It changes the code to reflect the names of the newly formed departments. The Department of Health, The Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health Facilities.
House Bill 4433: This bill permits private practices to obtain tomography scanners. It also provides for permitting mobile facilities to preform mammography and low-dose tomography. It removes the Certificate of Needs process.
Delegate Heather Tully, R-Nicholas, “This does bring health care into the rural communities, and even though we do have a hospital, we still have individuals who are not willing or do not have transportation to get to the hospital.”
All four bills passed the House unanimously and now in the Senate.
At the close of week 2, a total of 936 bills have been introduced in the House.