MOUNT HOPE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – State officials and staff members gathered at Gene Spadaro Juvenile Center on Monday morning for the signing of six bills by Governor Jim Justice, one of which will increase pay for West Virginia Corrections Officers.
State Senator Vince Deeds, House of Delegates member Eric Brooks, and West Virginia Department of Homeland Security Cabinet Secretary Mark Sorsaia were among those in attendance Monday as Governor Justice signed several bills into law following a recent Special Session of the West Virginia Legislature.
Governor Justice made reference to bills which were sent to the Legislature one year ago and two years ago, respectively, as a means of potentially improving the ongoing issues impacting the Division of Corrections. This bill was ultimately unsuccessful.
“At the end of the day, we didn’t get anything done,” Governor Justice said of the effort. “But thank God we’re here today, because now we’re on a pathway to making things better for a lot of folks that are here.
Not only that, we’re on a pathway to hopefully be able to have adequate staffing to where everybody can do their job, do their job safely, do their job correctly, and do their job humanely in every way. So with all that being said, it’s a big day, and I do salute the Legislature for all their hard work”
The bills signed into law on Monday entailed millions in supplemental appropriations for the WVDOC, program expansions, and changes to utilization of state funds. Specifics of the bills are as follows:
Senate Bill 1005 Supplemental appropriation for $21,121,278 to the Division of Correction.so here we go this is
Senate Bill 1003 Supplemental appropriation for $5,224,388
Senate Bill 1004 – Supplemental appropriation for $284,508 for parolee supervision fees and Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority
Senate Bill 1006 Expanding existing program that provides temporary identification cards for individuals exiting Correction Systems Corrections system.That these temporary cards, which are offered free of charge, will now be valid for 180 days.
Senate Bill 1009 Prohibits the use of state funds for certain procedures or benefits, not medically necessary for persons in the custody of the Division of Corrections.
Senate Bill 1039 Allows for the DCR Special Revenue fund to be used towards deferred maintenance, maintenance projects such as vital facility upgrades and replacing aging equipment.
Governor Justice made his way to Raleigh County following the signing of these bills to sign bills for supplemental appropriations to the WV Division of Forestry. The Governor also announced the renaming of WVDOF Region 4 Headquarters to Cody J. Mullens Region 4 Headquarters.