MORGANTOWN – The state Senate on Wednesday passed bills launching a pilot project to plow secondary roads in Monongalia and Preston counties, and to limit student cell phone use in public schools.
HB 2960 is the plowing bill. It says, “Snow removal on the secondary roads in Monongalia County and Preston County has not been dependable, providing a hardship on the citizens of West Virginia.”
It establishes a two-year pilot project to put out a Request for Proposal for vendors to provide snow removal for District 4’s secondary roads in Monongalia and Preston counties.
The Division of Highways will identify the roads to be plowed. The DOH can terminate a contract, with 30 days’ notice, for substandard or unsatisfactory work.
It passed 34-0 and returns to the House for amendment concurrence.
HB 2003 is the cell phone bill.
It opens with a statement: “Personal electronic devices contribute to a negative classroom environment with increased concerns relating to distractions, academic misconduct, bullying and/or harassment and other inappropriate behaviors. Concerns regarding the mental health of students with unfettered access to personal electronic devices are well-documented and are believed to prohibit the age-appropriate development of relationships, study skills, and other necessary skills to be successful.”
It requires county school boards to establish policies for permitting, or not permitting, personal electronic devices on school property. If permitted, the board will set parameters for use and for storage during instructional hours. It includes exceptions for medical issues and for students with Individualized Education Programs.
It also requires school boards to establish consequences for violations, including confiscation and ongoing prohibition from possession on campus.
Education chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, said she was originally ambivalent about the bill, but then read a book called “The Anxious Generation” and spoke with its author and researcher.
Cell phones on campus, she said, has exacerbated the problem of cyberbullying, essentially allowing it to occur all day long. The bill will give kids a gives a break from cyberbullying during school hours, along with negative impacts of social media.
Before learning about that, she said, “I felt it was micromanaging.” That it was the teacher’s and principal’s job to manage cell phone possession and use. But states with bans and limitations have seen improvements in academics and overall.
The vote was 33-1, with Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, the sole vote against. It returns to the House for amendment concurrence.
Squatter bill
The Senate also passed the Stop Squatters Act, HB 2434. It says a squatter is a person occupying a dwelling or other structure who is not so entitled under a rental agreement or is not authorized to do so by the tenant or owner.
It allows a property owner or their authorized agent request law enforcement to undertake the immediate removal of the squatter, under specified conditions.
Upon receipt of a complaint, law-enforcement will conduct preliminary fact-finding, which may include reviewing any alleged lease agreement, talking to neighbors, and other relevant inquiries to ascertain the validity of the complaint.
The law-enforcement agency is entitled to a fee for service.
The bill establishes the crime of criminal mischief for causing damages, with misdemeanor and felony penalties depending on the value of the damages. It also sets criminal penalties for selling real property without authorization and for advertising property for sale or rent without authorization.
The vote was 31-0 and it returns to the House for amendment concurrence.
