HB 5168 establishes two new funds to increase emergency medical services (EMS) funding across West Virginia. The County Emergency Medical Services Fund supports counties with dedicated EMS taxes or fees, while the All County Emergency Medical Services Fund provides uniform support to all counties. The bill transfers $6 million annually from the state lottery fund to the renamed EMS Salary Enhancement, Crisis Response, and Mental Health Treatment Fund (for worker salaries and crisis services) and $3 million each to the two new funds. These funds must be used exclusively to boost EMS worker salaries, improve crisis response, and support mental health services to help retain staff.
HB 5323 amends West Virginia law to require that future increases to wildlife license and stamp fees (e.g., hunting or fishing permits) be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for "All Items" published by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill specifies that any fee adjustments must be rounded down to the nearest dollar, and explicitly prohibits fee increases based on CPI after January 1, 2021. This directly affects individuals and businesses purchasing wildlife licenses or stamps in West Virginia. The change ensures fee adjustments automatically reflect inflation but limits the mechanism to apply only to fees set before 2021.
HB 5444 increases the maximum monthly fee parolees in West Virginia must pay for supervision from $40 to $50, based on their ability to pay. The Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation must consider factors like income, assets, debts, and necessary expenses (such as child care or medical costs) when setting individual fees. All collected fees will go into a special fund to cover parole supervision costs, with any excess funds to be reallocated by the legislature. This change directly affects parolees under state supervision, including those paroled by other states or the federal government.
HB 5015 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact," allowing respiratory therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states more easily. It requires criminal history checks for new licenses and for therapists seeking to practice across state lines under the compact, with results kept confidential except under specific circumstances. The bill directly affects respiratory therapists seeking multi-state practice and the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners, which must implement these checks. Key provisions include establishing a Commission to oversee the compact, preserving each state's regulatory authority over licensure, and aiming to improve access to respiratory therapy services while addressing workforce shortages.
HB 5582 extends the expiration date of West Virginia's program requiring drug screening for adult applicants seeking Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. The program, originally set to end December 31, 2026, will now operate until December 31, 2030. Under this program, applicants who test positive for drugs must complete substance abuse treatment and job skills programs to continue receiving TANF benefits, though they may keep benefits while participating. The bill does not change existing screening requirements or treatment rules - it only extends the program's authorization period.
HB 5406 updates West Virginia's DUI laws by shifting authority for chemical testing oversight from the Bureau of Public Health to the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory. It eliminates outdated references to urine testing, removes propoxyphene from drug testing requirements, and permits trained phlebotomists to collect blood samples for analysis. The bill also corrects blood alcohol concentration thresholds for juvenile drivers and clarifies that refusing only a blood test - without refusing a breath test - will not automatically trigger license revocation. These changes streamline DUI testing procedures for law enforcement and ensure current medical standards are reflected in the law.
HB 5366 amends West Virginia law to clarify that certain records related to the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program are confidential and not subject to public records requests. It directly affects attorneys who use this program, which provides support for mental health and substance abuse issues. The bill specifically states that records gathered under the program’s rules - covering procedures, referrals, and services - are exempt from disclosure under the state’s Freedom of Information Act. This change ensures these sensitive attorney assistance records remain private, preventing public access while maintaining program confidentiality.
HB 5110 lowers the age requirement for tuition waivers at West Virginia colleges from 65 to 60 years old for residents or metro area students. It creates two program options: auditors (no credit) pay up to $50 per course (excluding labs/parking), while credit-seeking students pay 50% of resident tuition. The bill requires colleges to prioritize applicants, confirm classroom space availability, and apply the same fee rules to all students. It directly affects West Virginia seniors aged 60+ seeking non-credit or credit courses at public institutions. The amendment updates existing law to expand access to affordable education for older adults.
HB 5086 establishes standards for peer support programs in West Virginia, directly affecting healthcare workers (covered caregivers like nurses, doctors, social workers, and first responders) and the peer support teams that assist them. The bill defines "peer support services" as nonclinical emotional or practical assistance provided by trained colleagues to help workers manage stress from high-pressure jobs, and requires peer support team members to complete 8 hours of initial training plus quarterly refreshers covering confidentiality, mental health resources, and communication skills. It prohibits licensing boards from disciplining peer support providers or requesting their communications, creating legal protections for these interactions under new §57-3-11. The law also defines key terms and sets training requirements through new sections §21-18-1 and §21-18-2.
HB 5438 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula to direct additional resources toward instructional improvements and technology. It allocates 10% of the local share increase for instructional programs (with $150,000 minimum per county) and 20% for instructional technology (with $30,000 minimum per county), both calculated based on attendance and enrollment data. County school boards may use up to 50% of instructional funds for hiring educators or technology specialists, subject to state superintendent approval, but cannot increase central office staff beyond four positions. The bill also requires funding for the Third Grade Success Act and allows county boards to use allocated funds for Safe Schools Fund projects. This directly affects all West Virginia county school districts and their budgeting for classroom programs and technology resources.
HB 5480 establishes the West Virginia Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program to provide paid summer jobs and career training for youth aged 14-20, with priority given to those in foster care, receiving public assistance (like TANF or SNAP), or involved in the justice system. Administered by the Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Development, the program requires partnerships with private businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to create work placements and career exploration opportunities. It mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, allows private funding through matching contributions, and creates a special revenue account to support operations. The goal is to address workforce shortages, retain youth in West Virginia, and build a skilled local workforce through structured employment experiences.
HB 5622 amends West Virginia's process for cities to revise or update their charters. It requires city governing bodies to hold public hearings at least 30 days after publishing notice, allow qualified voters to file written objections, and specify that amendments take effect 10 days after the hearing if no objections are filed. If objections are filed, cities may either abandon the changes or submit them to voters at a regular or special election (requiring a two-thirds council vote to call a special election). This bill directly affects city governments and residents in cities seeking to modify their governing charters, focusing solely on procedural requirements for the amendment process.
