Public Comments

It appears that the majority of the bills you are trying to get passed are stacking the deck against public education, I don’t understand how you are thinking or what your motives are. Our students should understand and know the Constitution and more importantly their Constitutional rights, but if you are, as a legislative body are not fighting right now to support all of the Constitutional rights afforded to every single person in this country, then it is very hypocritical for you to pass a bill that would require only public school  students to take a test to be able to graduate. Further more, this same body of legislators is actively supporting a bill, SB216, that would remove standards like this from charter and private schools’ requirements. Kill this bill! Especially since you are not practicing what you are wanting them to learn!

Please pass Baylea's Bill! No one should have to grieve their loved one for someone's mistake

Pass Baylea’s  law!

I believe people need to be held accountable for their actions longer a couple years. Paul Foster

I believe this bill should be passed to give families justice after losing a loved one to drunk driving. Our state faces many challenges and they begin with our youth drinking which typically leads to drug use into adult life. The person who took Baylea’s life had used both that night. Two families were ruined and one will never be able to share another moment with their daughter because of the actions of someone else. Our state should begin to take these matters more serious to help families feel some sort of justice.

Men and Women of WV legislation, As an Elected Representative of WV legislature I feel it is your duty in making sure not only our state is governed by the proper laws but also our people should be protected by them. In saying that I am referring to the law that is in place at the current time on impaired driving causing death. With WV having one of the highest fatality rate in the nation and in 2024 with 78 fatalities involving impaired driving I feel the law for this crime is not only strong enough but needs to be enforced to the fullest extent possible. When someone has no regard not only for their life but everyone they pass along the road while impaired should get no sympathy. They make that choice and all choices have consequences. You should ask yourself what kind of justice do you feel would be expected if that was one of your loved ones that was taken away from someone that chose to get impaired and drive. As of date this law only holds 3 to 15 years in prison with I’m sure not many are convicted to the fullest extent possible. When the victims family is left behind to live a life sentence of grief. We need stronger laws!! I hope each and everyone of you can see where HB 1234 “Baylea’s Law” will not only be the start in the right direction to protecting the innocent people of WV but hopefully be the reason someone does not have to say goodbye to a loved one. Please do what’s right for the people of WV and vote yes to HB 1234 “Baylea’s Law”.

I agree we should have tougher laws against DUI and death caused by Dui

Please consider the 6 year minimum-30 year maximum punishment for this particular crime. Please do the right thing! Cathy S Acord

I believe a review of the current D.U.I. Law is necessary. The punishment should match the level of the crime. Taking a life when you could have prevented it should have harsher consequences.

There needs The Stiffler penalty on DUI with death it’s not fair to the loved ones that loses someone to a tragic accident by someone that chooses to drink and drive and take another person‘s life. 3 to 15 years is just small enough for something like this. It needs to be more. It’s basically a slap on a wrist for 3 to 15 is all it is I think the families and the victims deserves more. How would anyone in Legislation feel if it was a family member yours while your kids that this might happen to you would feel the same.

Baylea was an amazing human who had so much more time on this earth. We as a state need to crack down on drunk/buzzed driving. No amount of time will make up for the loss of this sweet girl but the least she deserves is full justice!

Pass Bayleas Law!

I have a middle school daughter and son.   She has begged to wrestle, but I have not been comfortable with her wrestling boys.  She stands to the side as her brother excels.   The sport of wrestling is exploding for girls.  There are so many wrestling scholarships available for them.  Our girls are at a disadvantage in the state.

harsher punishments for these such acts could prevent future lives lost in these choice events. The choice to break the law while DUI should be held more than what it does now period. Due to how many repeat offenders get caught more and more, and some that never get caught but still continue to do it so often .

People who drink alcohol and/or use drugs and operate a vehicle should suffer harsher consequences, especially when they take an innocent person’s life.

Please pass this bill. Baylee deserves to still be alive,

One of the best bills that I have seen introduced in the last 7 years. Anyone who makes the choice to drive under the influence and takes someone’s life it is no different than an accidental homicide.

This law should be passed. What if it was your child? What if you were in these sweet parent's shoes? The law that is in place is not enough and is the reason people continues to do it. A slap on the wrist is not ok for this kind of behavior. She took an innocent life, her life needs to be behind bars for murder not on probation doing what ever she wants at home.

This law needs changed to have stricter consequences for the actions of drivers who drive impaired. Too many families have lost ones to impaired drivers and the law currently doesn’t punish people who choose to drive impaired.  With stricter laws maybe people will think before they get behind the wheel while they are impaired and possibly take an innocent life.

Good luck!

I fully support this bill. My brother was just killed by a drunk driver on September 18, 2025. He left behind a wife and 3 small children. The man who was driving drunk at 6 AM only spent a couple of nights in jail and was released on a lesser bond. Original bond was 250,000 cash only. He was released on a 50,000 surety bond. We couldn’t even have an open casket for my brother. The fines should be massive and jail sentence should be longer. I honestly believe it should be a murder charge and life in prison because driving under the influence is a choice just like murder with any other weapon.

Please pass Bill 4712. I am in support of this Bill

Please pass this bill it will save lives and make people think more before they choose to drive impaired.

I am writing to you this evening as a representative of the ACLU of West Virginia to express our opposition to HB4600.   With the U.S. Post Office experiencing historic delays and struggling to keep up with mail volume, this bill would add to uncertainty for many West Virginia voters about whether their votes will be counted. West Virginians working and serving overseas could have their ballots thrown out, removing their voices from the very democracy some swore an oath to defend.   Absentee voter fraud is extremely rare and has never altered the outcome of an election. Even according to the far-right Heritage Foundation, there have only been five credible cases regarding fraudulent use of absentee ballots in West Virginia since 2012.   HB4600 is a solution in search of a problem that simply does not exist in West Virginia, and therefore should be soundly rejected.

I think anyone behind the wheel drunk should be max penalty! Think if this was your family they killed! All because they chose to be impaired behind the wheel!!

Please pass Bayleas Law

It is important this bill is passed so no one’s life is affected from a wreckless drunk driver. An innocent life’s family will never be the same. The prison time should be doubled and double fine for their crime. The punishment should be upheld properly for the offender.

Stiffer penalties for DUI is a must due reoccurring offense.

Drunk drivers should face real consequences, not receive a slap in the wrist.

Yes I agree. This should not be tolerated driving under the influence and taking a life.

Baylea was a beautiful soul gone way too soon. I believe 100% this should become a law. I had a family member taken way too soon by the same situation. These people should get the maximum sentences. Love and prayers for the family!

I strongly support the passage of this bill to increase penalties for DUI offenses that result in death. Driving under the influence is a conscious decision, and when that decision ends a life, the consequences must reflect the gravity of the harm caused. Families who lose loved ones to impaired drivers suffer irreversible loss, yet current sentencing often fails to deliver true accountability or deterrence. Strengthening penalties for DUI resulting in death sends a clear message: reckless and impaired driving will not be tolerated, and human life must be protected. This bill prioritizes public safety, justice for victims, and responsibility for dangerous choices. I urge you to pass this legislation and stand with families, communities, and law-abiding citizens who deserve safer roads. Thank you for taking action on this critical issue.

I feel this would definitely make people think about not drinking and driving because you never know if the other car is someone’s daughter, son, mom, dad anyone of someone’s family.

There definitely needs harsher punishments for those driving under the influence.  In this case Bailey died because of someone’s ignorance. 9-11-1990 my dad only 28 at that time, was driving with his coworker in passenger seat. He saw Larry Bird driving in his lane and swerved over into the ditch and he STILL hit them head on. Dad was comatose for days and now has seizures never to drive again. His coworker was injured as well ending up in a wheelchair.  All the driver got was broken leg and pretty sure my family said he had another accident months later.  He got NO punishment and ruined my dad’s ability to ever work again or live a normal life.

I pray the family of Baylea gets the justice they deserve. She was a beautiful soul💕

Please consider passing this law.

Questions: As a mother of a special education student (autism and learning disability in reading), I am wondering if students with IEPs are still required to pass this test, and if so, what accommodations are allowed? As a taxpayer, is this only for public education students, or those in private schools and homeschooling as well?  If only public education, why are these the only students who need to have a knowledge on our constitution?  If ALL students (including private and homeschool) are tested, how will this be monitored outside of the public school setting?   Comments: As a public educator, I am against this bill. If we are simply giving the test (possibly multiple times) just so they have an “acute knowledge” of the constitution, why not just make a lesson plan or video to be taught/shown to all students. If a student fails this test multiple times and has to retake it, think of the education they are missing out on by being tested again and again, instead of being in the classroom where instruction is being delivered.  

I support stronger penalties

The current punishment for DUI causing death is far too minimum. DUI causing death should be considered a very serious charge, considering many people in the state of West Virginia, specifically southern West Virginia, have lost their lives due to people driving impaired. Isaiah Brown and Baylea Bower are examples of two very young people that had their entire lives to live, but were cut short because of two people’s bad decisions to drive impaired. Increasing the fines and jail time, could possibly help prevent people from driving impaired.

Pass the law !!!

I feel strongly about this!

Hello! I am asking for stronger laws and harsher penalties against drunk driving in honor of a beautiful young girl whose life was taken far too soon, Baylea. Baylea had dreams, plans, and a whole future ahead of her. She was loved deeply, and her presence brought light to those around her. In a single, preventable moment, her life was stolen by someone who chose to drive under the influence. That decision forever changed countless lives. Drunk driving is 100% preventable, yet it continues to take innocent lives every single day. Current laws are clearly not strong enough to stop these tragedies from happening again and again. We urge lawmakers to strengthen DUI laws by: Increasing penalties for impaired driving Enforcing stricter sentencing for repeat offenders Expanding education and prevention programs Implementing tougher license suspensions and monitoring No family should ever have to bury a spouse, a child, sibling, or any loved one period because of someone else’s reckless choice. Let her story be the reason meaningful change happens. Let her life matter. Let her legacy save others. We are begging…

JUSTICE FOR BAYLEA!

When someone decides to get behind the wheel while intoxicated they are not only putting their life in dangers but others as well.

I totally think this bill needs to be passed, one person getting killed by a drunk driver is too many! If people that drink and drive know what the consequences will be for their actions, then hopefully it will save lives. But if they still choose to drink and drive then l feel no sympathy for the consequences they should have to face. Because there will be a lost love one family that will have to live with that pain for the rest of their lives. So l have no sympathy for those who choose to make a bad decision, so yes I want this bill to pass.

I am friends with this family. The heartache and horror her death has brought our community is unreal. The girl who killed her is selfless. She has posted vedic and pictures since age 16 bragging about drinking and driving. Please pass this for justice for her family and friends.

I would like to see this law put into legislation! No one should have to endure the Pain  and Heartache this family has endured! So I would ask the elected officials hear the voice of the community!

A beautiful young lady with a whole life ahead of her and a selfish girl took her life , it’s a shame Baylea is gone, I miss her so much

Please take this opportunity to make a difference, Pass this law and hold folks accountable.

The fact that someone can be under the influence and MURDER someone and only get 3-15 years is UNACCEPTABLE! VEHICULAR HOMICIDE!  Why does WV not carry this charge?!?!?! West Virginia needs to step up for Baylea and make sure she gets her justice!  Don’t let her life be worth only 3 years in jail.  3 YEARS!  🤬🤬🤬 This just makes me sick!  West Virginia is famous for allowing MURDER to be overlooked.  To the point that the murderer MOVES to another state and kills her NEXT husband.   I just don’t get it. This 18 year old human KNEW she was going to get drunk.   She KNEW she was going to take drugs.   INTENT!!!  PREMEDITATED!!! Do better WV!   Do better.

Please pass this bill. If a life is taken by DUI it should have a much stronger punishment.

I believe this law should be passed to preserve the future of WV citizens. This law should have been in place years ago. Please consider how this will help our state and the safety of its people.

I believe this law should be passed because of the overseen DUI crashes that have happened in the past. Bailey didn’t get what she deserved and neither did those in the past.

Please pass this law to help stop people from drinking and driving and hopefully stopping innocent life’s from being taken away  thank you

Drunk driving must stop.

There’s no reason to not put this bill in motion. That’s all I am going to say.

I absolutely support the bill.

This law should be passed no questions asked!! Driving under the influence is never acceptable.

I agree with this law. Baylea and her family deserve this. ( I hope I spelled her name right.) I didn’t know her personally, but myself, my heart has reached out to her family. Her husband, who was only married a short time. I believe justice should be served. I have also put blue flowers for her. I can’t imagine what they all are going through. It is murder, manslaughter. Whatever you want to call it. It is grief, it is not understanding, she deserves justice, no matter what.

I support this law in being passed.

I support Baylee’s law because It is absolutely inexcusable to get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence. In today’s world there are so many alternatives. People who are reckless with their own life think it’s ok to risk the life of another human being when they make this selfish decision. Call a friend, sleep It off, or better yet stop drinking poison. Find the lord Jesus Christ. He will change your life before It’s too late.

I think dui causing death is the same as murder and should be giving the maximum penalty

This law needs to be passed.

It only takes a phone call to have a designated driver.  Every person that is capable of going out and drinking is capable of making  that call.  And if you don’t know anyone that’s willing to be a DD, call any mother u know or an uber driver will have to do.  20 seconds to make the call or a 20 second decision to change someone’s life forever!  Living without your child is not living at all!  Don’t be responsible for taking someone else existence or purpose away from them!  The mother of the child you could kill by drinking and driving is giving that mother a life long sentences awaiting on death row!  Why should she be the only one on death row!  She didn’t take anyone life away!  She gave life.  And that life gave her purpose!

Please pass this law for Baylea’s family and other families.

I can’t believe this is even up for discussion. It should be a no-brainer. if you get behind a vehicle and take away someone’s life three years is just not enough punishment. this isn’t an accident. This was a choice you chose to drink so much it compromise your ability to make decisions and compromised your ability to drive. as a mother with children, who are getting ready to start driving, please pass this bill. Help keep my kids safe

Please pass this bill! Innocent lives are taken daily and people need to learn consequences!

Justice for Baylea

This bill absolutely needs passed. Truthfully the sentence really just needs to be 30 years & be done with it. Someone making the reckless decision to drink & drive that takes a life should be locked up for the rest of theirs. Or at least a big enough portion of it they don’t get to enjoy a bit of it.

Justice for baylea

This new law should make people reconsider before driving drunk

If someone chooses to drink and drive and it results in another person’s death, 30 years in prison is absolutely deserved. That choice is reckless, irresponsible, and completely avoidable. When you put other people’s lives at risk and take a life because of foolishness, you should pay the price. Accountability matters.

It is terrible when you lose a child because of a drunk driver.

Please pass this!

Any form of taxation is theft. Especially having to pay a fee, that you’re trying to double, to use a vehicle that one has already paid taxes on and already have to play taxes on every single year. I have no clue how a true fiscal conservative would pass this bill. It’s an atrocious breach of individual liberty.

This legislation is long overdue!

An increase in the sentence should deter anyone even considering driving under the influence .

Driving under the influence is a choice made of breaking the law followed by death and should be treated as murder. 5-15 years is nothing compared to the lifetime a family has to face of losing a loved one, especially a child that has a whole life taken away.

I would like for Bayleas law to be passed.

As a child who lost a stepfather, who was like a biological father to me, in 1995, we require stricter punishments for those who CHOOSE to engage in this behavior. My dad's murderer received 3 months, then killed somekne else a year later where he received 4 months.

My uncle was killed because of a Drunk driver

Drinking while under the influence is risking the lives of others as well as themselves. There are enough ways for people to get designated drivers when impaired. The impact of losing a loved one because someone made a poor decision is not something anyone should ever have to go through. A life taken by someone who is breaking the law should be held as murder in my eyes and not given a chance to live a normal life and possibly doing the same crime because the punishment is not enough.

Justice for Baylea

Please pass this bill, it will make people think twice about driving under the influence.

.

Public funds should support public education. The federal government should be supporting and strenghening our public schools and not moving public monies to the private sector, which in many erodes public schools. I am totally in favor of high-quality education. But West Virginia cannot support two parallel school systems. Please invest in the school system that serves everyone, and not just the wealthy.

I am thankful my state is considering passing this.  Maybe this will decrease the percentage of people who risk their lives and risk others lives by driving illegally under the influence.  I hope this passes.

Drink driving is common things here, so common that people will post about it almost bragging, showing off the things they do and don’t get caught doing, Destiny lester did just that, in my cases, not just alcohol but other substances. She is 19 years old, not even close to age for drinking, I’m saying this from the prospective of someone who is also 19. I refuse to drink, I refuse to be the one at hand for such a tragedy, drunk driving is a choice, one in which a person decides taking someone’s life is a risk worth taking, we need to change the way we prosecute people when they make that choice, because deciding that someone else’s life doesn’t matter is the same has choosing to end their life. Baylea deserved to live her life, and at this point, destiny deserves to face the consequences of taking that from her, and her family.

There is no excuse for driving impaired.

This bill should be passed to make impaired individuals think twice before drinking and driving or driving impaired period.