SB 512 requires insurers in West Virginia to count cash payments made by insured individuals at discounted rates (below the average in-network rate) toward their in-network cost-sharing requirements. It also prohibits insurers from penalizing patients who receive referrals from out-of-network providers for in-network services. The bill defines key terms like "average allowed amount" (the average payment to in-network providers) and "discounted cash price" to standardize cost-sharing calculations. These changes apply to all health insurance plans delivered in West Virginia starting January 1, 2027, and aim to reduce out-of-pocket costs for consumers using cash-based pricing.
HB 4566 increases penalties for drivers who flee the scene of a crash causing injury or death in West Virginia. It raises fines and prison terms based on severity: up to $1,000 or one year in jail for bodily injury, up to $2,500 or three years for serious injury, and up to $5,000 or 20 years for death (with death occurring within one year of the crash). The bill also mandates a one-year license revocation for convicted offenders. It defines "serious bodily injury" as injury creating substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or prolonged health impairment, and names the law "Erin’s Law."
HCR 10 is a West Virginia legislative resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically requests a convention limited to proposing an amendment to repeal the 16th Amendment, which authorizes federal income taxes. The resolution states West Virginia’s application will be aggregated with similar applications from other states to reach the required two-thirds threshold for Congress to act. This is a procedural step - West Virginia cannot repeal the 16th Amendment itself, but seeks to initiate the process for states to propose such a repeal. The resolution also notes plans for potential legal action if Congress fails to convene the convention.
SB 166 amends West Virginia's WV Invests Grant Program to include associate degrees and certificates in emergency medical services (EMS) as eligible post-secondary programs. This change directly affects West Virginia residents pursuing EMS credentials by allowing them to qualify for the grant, which covers tuition and fees at participating institutions. The bill modifies the eligibility requirements in §18C-9-5(a)(8) to explicitly include EMS programs, without altering other existing grant terms like residency, academic standards, or the repayment agreement for graduates who leave the state.
Senate Bill 517 clarifies the deadline for providing autopsy reports to prosecutors and law enforcement in West Virginia. The bill requires that copies of autopsy reports, including related death investigation reports, be furnished to the prosecuting attorney or the county where the injury occurred within 24 hours of the report's completion. This applies to all autopsies conducted by the chief medical examiner or designated pathologists, directly affecting medical examiners, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies. The clarification aims to ensure timely access to critical information for criminal investigations without altering the 24-hour timeframe.
This bill increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 for primary residences owned by residents who are 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled. To qualify, homeowners must have lived in West Virginia for two consecutive years before the tax year (with exceptions for returning military members or those reestablishing residency within five years). The exemption applies to the first $40,000 of a home's assessed value and becomes effective July 1 for the following tax year, though it terminates if the property is sold or transferred. Only one exemption is permitted per homestead, regardless of how many qualifying owners reside there.
West Virginia's HCR 9 is a resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose repealing the 17th Amendment. This amendment, ratified in 1913, established the direct election of U.S. senators by voters instead of state legislatures. The resolution requests Congress convene a limited convention focused solely on this amendment, joining similar requests from other states to reach the required two-thirds state support. It does not change current law but seeks to initiate the process for a potential constitutional amendment, which would restore state legislatures' role in selecting senators.
HB 4614 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DoHS) to develop and implement a statewide prevention plan by January 1, 2027. The plan must provide evidence-based, trauma-informed services to children under 18 and their families - including those in foster care, youth aging out of foster care, pregnant youth, post-adoption youth, and families with specific needs - through a mix of physical locations and telehealth. DoHS must track service outcomes, report annually starting December 2027 on county-level service reach and costs, and seek federal funding to support these services. The bill focuses on expanding accessible prevention support for vulnerable youth and families without creating new funding.
West Virginia's SB 547, the Truth in Giving Act, requires thrift stores to clearly disclose whether donations support charities or for-profit businesses. It mandates that stores selling donated goods display specific information: nonprofits must share the charity's name and contact details, while for-profit stores must state "THIS IS NOT A CHARITY" along with the business owner's information. This disclosure must appear on drop boxes, at donation points, and at checkout locations. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 for repeat offenses, enforced by the Secretary of State.
HJR 23 proposes removing a constitutional term limit for West Virginia sheriffs, which currently restricts them to two consecutive terms. If approved by voters, the amendment would eliminate this restriction, allowing sheriffs to seek re-election for additional terms. The bill requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. It directly affects sheriffs statewide by changing their eligibility to serve beyond two consecutive terms.
HB 4560 redirects the gas tax collected from fuel sold at marinas and boat docks in West Virginia to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. The bill amends state law to require that these specific tax proceeds - currently part of the motor fuel excise tax - must now be allocated solely to the DNR Law Enforcement Division. This change does not create a new tax but shifts existing revenue from its current allocation to fund natural resource enforcement activities. The primary effect is providing the DNR Law Enforcement Division with a dedicated funding source from marina and boat dock fuel sales.
This bill requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover annual mammograms for women aged 40 and older without needing a doctor's order first. It also mandates coverage for mammograms for women under 40 with breast cancer risk factors (like family history), based on medical necessity as determined by their provider. These requirements apply to all individual and group health insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed in West Virginia on or after January 1, 2026. The policy affects all women in the state who have health insurance through these plans, ensuring coverage aligns with current medical guidelines for breast cancer screening.
