SB 568, the Oral Health and Cancer Rights Act, requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover medically necessary dental procedures directly related to cancer treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation). This affects cancer patients needing dental care to eat, breathe, speak, or swallow after treatment, and all health benefit plans offered by insurers in the state. The bill mandates that covered services must be billed using the specific modifier "West Virginia Code §33-64-1" (or a unique prescription identifier for medications), ensuring insurers recognize these procedures as covered. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, applying to all nonexempt health insurance contracts.
HB 4659 transfers oversight of most childcare services in West Virginia from the Department of Human Services to the West Virginia Department of Education. It requires residential child-care centers, day-care centers, and family day-care facilities to obtain licenses, certifications, or registrations from the Department of Education instead of the previous agency. The bill also updates requirements for evacuation plans, facility registrations, and exemptions (like public schools or summer camps) while maintaining existing standards for care. This change directly affects childcare providers operating under state oversight, shifting their regulatory authority to the education department.
HB 4716 amends West Virginia law to improve how the Industrial Access Road Fund is managed, directly affecting counties and municipalities that use the fund for industrial infrastructure. The bill establishes that 0.75% of state tax collections (or $3 million annually) will fund industrial access roads, with unspent funds needing to be spent within three years or reverting to the State Road Fund. It allows counties to coordinate with regional economic development groups to fund cross-county projects and requires financial guarantees (like bonds) for new industrial sites if construction isn't already underway. The bill ensures funds are used for road construction, safety upgrades, and federal project matching, prioritizing sites with confirmed or imminent industrial development.
HB 4628, the PEEPS Act, requires West Virginia law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing historical location data (such as license plate records, cell tower logs, or traffic camera footage) about people or vehicles. Exceptions include when a vehicle owner reports a theft, for traffic enforcement, toll collection, or in immediate emergencies where a warrant cannot be secured. The bill mandates that agencies encrypt this data, prohibit sharing or selling it to private companies, and maintain detailed records of all access requests with supervisor approval. This law directly affects police departments and government entities that collect location information, aiming to limit unwarranted surveillance while allowing specific public safety uses.
HB 4647 would change West Virginia law to extend the term of county sheriffs from four years to six years. This bill directly affects sheriffs across all West Virginia counties, who would now be elected every six years instead of every four years. The key provision amends Section 3-1-17 of the state code to adjust the election cycle for sheriffs from "every fourth year" to "every sixth year" following the 2028 election. This change would alter the frequency of sheriff elections without modifying election procedures or qualifications.
HB 4675, titled "Relating to 'Rain Tax'," would prohibit West Virginia municipalities from charging property owners a fee based on stormwater, runoff, rain, or similar precipitation-related factors. This bill amends state law to remove local governments' authority to impose such fees, directly affecting residential and commercial property owners who might have been charged for these services. The key mechanism is a clear prohibition on assessing any fee tied to precipitation management, replacing existing provisions that allowed stormwater fees under municipal ordinances. This change would require municipalities to find alternative funding methods for stormwater programs but does not specify new funding mechanisms.
HB 4549 requires West Virginia local governments to award public construction contracts over $50,000 to the lowest qualified responsible bidder - defined as the lowest-priced bidder meeting standards for ability, compliance with state laws, and a valid bid bond. The bill also permits political subdivisions (like counties, cities, and school boards) to enter into project labor agreements (pre-hire union contracts) for construction projects. Additionally, for projects exceeding $250,000, the winning bidder must provide a list of subcontractors performing over $25,000 in work within one business day of the bid opening. This directly affects local governments and contractors involved in public construction projects across West Virginia.
HB 4649 requires purchasers of property sold at tax sales (by the West Virginia Auditor for unpaid taxes) to satisfy any outstanding municipal liens (such as unpaid water or sewer charges) recorded against the property before securing a deed. Specifically, buyers must pay off these local government claims and provide the Auditor with a certified record of satisfaction from the municipality, in addition to existing requirements like preparing redemption notices and paying associated costs. Failure to meet this new requirement within 120 days (with a possible 60-day extension for a $100 fee) results in losing the property purchase. This change ensures new owners receive clear title without hidden municipal claims.
HB 4674 prohibits the use or sale of "abortifacients" (defined as drugs requiring an FDA prescription or primarily used to cause abortion) in West Virginia. It directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and individuals who mail or prescribe such drugs within the state, with criminal penalties for violations. The bill creates a private right to sue for damages if someone violates the prohibition and defines "medical emergency" narrowly to exclude psychological conditions. Key mechanisms include strict definitions of terms like "abortifacient" and "abortion," and it explicitly excludes exceptions for miscarriage, stillbirth, or ectopic pregnancies.
HB 4698 requires West Virginia public high schools (grades 9-12) to make adoption awareness materials available to students upon request. The materials must cover adoption types, foster care vs. private adoption, resources for pregnant students, and child development information. Schools must provide written materials to parents or guardians of pregnant students who receive the information. This bill, effective for the 2026-2027 school year, directly affects high school students and their families by providing standardized adoption resources through school counseling offices.
HB 4677 would amend West Virginia law (§20-7-4) to require natural resources police officers to obtain either a landowner's consent or a warrant before entering private property for enforcement purposes. This change directly affects landowners and DNR officers, altering current authority to enter private lands. Key provisions include adding this requirement to the officer's duties while maintaining exceptions for emergencies involving imminent threats to public safety or accidents. The bill does not change officers' existing authority to enter state-owned lands or enforce laws on public waters.
SB 561 establishes rules for local religious organizations in West Virginia seeking to disaffiliate from a parent denomination or conference. It requires a two-thirds vote of the local membership for disaffiliation approval and divides property into three classes: real estate (Class A), personal property (Class B), and financial assets (Class C). For real estate, a local church may retain a parcel if over 50% of its acquisition costs were raised locally (excluding parent funds), but must reimburse the parent for documented investments - though the parent must prove ownership claims within 60 days via receipts or records. If the parent fails to provide required documentation, the local church keeps the property without reimbursement for unproven claims.
