SB 385 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Rehabilitation Services to implement a specific legislative rule about the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Act Board. This procedural bill formally approves a rule already filed in the State Register (March 31, 2025), which governs how the board operates. The rule directly affects the Division of Rehabilitation Services in administering personal assistance services under the Ron Yost Act. It does not create new benefits or requirements but confirms the legal authority for existing administrative procedures.
HB 4873 changes the deadline for minors to file medical malpractice lawsuits. It removes the current rule requiring minors to file before their 12th birthday and replaces it with a new deadline: minors can file within five years after turning 18. This affects individuals who were under 18 at the time of their medical procedure and suffered injury. The bill specifically modifies Section (c) of West Virginia’s medical malpractice statute to extend the filing window for minors.
HB 4876 replaces the previous work permit requirement for 14-15-year-olds with a new "age certificate" system. Employers hiring children aged 14 or older must obtain this certificate from the State Commissioner of Labor, which requires proof of age (like a birth certificate), school attendance details, parental consent, and approved work hours. The certificate must include the child's full name, birth details, and work hour limits, and it must be kept on file by the employer. This bill directly affects employers hiring minors and shifts verification responsibility to the Labor Commissioner, while adding penalties for improper certificate issuance.
HB 4884 changes how West Virginia calculates child support payments by shifting from using parents' adjusted gross income to their net pay (after mandatory deductions like taxes). The bill allows parents to deduct up to 25% of their net pay for student loans used for their own education, with strict disclosure requirements for any changes to loan payments. This directly affects parents legally responsible for child support payments in the state. The bill modifies multiple sections of child support law to implement this net pay calculation method and student loan deduction provision.
House Bill 4902 provides a 3% salary adjustment for non-uniform administrative staff in West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) who have at least three years of continuous service, effective July 1, 2026. Employees with less than three years of service will receive the same 3% adjustment after completing three years, calculated based on their salary at that time. The bill directs that funding for these increases come from the DCR's general revenue appropriations and specifies that adjustments will take effect even if they exceed standard pay grade maximums. This change directly affects DCR non-uniform administrative staff by creating a separate pay structure for their roles.
SB 379 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources to implement specific rules governing wildlife rehabilitation facilities. The bill approves a modified rule (previously filed and revised to address committee feedback) that sets standards for facilities caring for injured or orphaned wildlife. This directly affects wildlife rehabilitation centers operating in the state by requiring compliance with these standardized procedures. The rule, referenced as "58 CSR 21," focuses on operational requirements rather than creating new policies. This is a procedural bill to formally adopt an existing regulatory framework.
SB 378 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources to establish and implement a specific regulatory rule (58 CSR 14) governing small arms hunting. The bill formally approves a rule that was previously proposed and filed in the State Register on July 25, 2025, under existing legal authority. This procedural bill does not change hunting rules itself but gives official authorization for the Division to enforce the existing proposed regulation. It directly affects the Division of Natural Resources (as the rulemaker) and indirectly affects hunters who must comply with the finalized rule.
HB 4860, the Direct Classroom Funding Act, changes how West Virginia public school funding is distributed by sending state education funds directly to individual teachers instead of through school districts. It creates a "Classroom Expense Account" for each teacher, funded proportionally from state accounts, which teachers can use to purchase classroom supplies and materials via a dedicated purchase card. Teachers gain online access to track balances, and purchases made through these accounts are exempt from typical district vendor requirements while being publicly listed online for transparency. The bill affects all West Virginia public school teachers who receive instructional funding, shifting control of these resources from district administrators to educators.
This bill authorizes West Virginia's Office of Miners' Health, Safety, and Training to implement a specific rule (56 CSR 08) governing how coal mining operations must submit and get approval for their comprehensive Mine Safety Programs. It directly affects coal mining companies in West Virginia by requiring them to follow this standardized process for safety program submissions. The key mechanism is formalizing an existing rule that was filed with the State Register in September 2024, ensuring it has legislative backing for enforcement. The bill does not create new safety standards but establishes the procedural framework for program approval.
HB 4866 creates the West Virginia Public Participation Protection Act, which establishes a legal process to quickly dismiss lawsuits targeting protected public speech. The bill allows defendants to file a "special motion to dismiss" within 60 days if a lawsuit claims to be based on free speech, petitioning government, association on public issues, digital expression (like social media), consumer reviews, or information gathering for expressive works. If the motion is filed, all court proceedings automatically pause until the court rules, and the plaintiff must prove they have a strong case to win. This applies to all pending and future cases involving public concern issues, but excludes state enforcement actions and pure contract disputes without public interest.
SB 382 authorizes the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to implement a rule that outlines prohibitions for hunting and trapping activities. This rule, previously filed in the State Register on July 25, 2025, would establish specific restrictions affecting hunters and trappers statewide. The bill does not create new prohibitions but formally authorizes an existing rule to take effect under state law. It is a procedural measure to ensure the rule is legally enforceable.
This bill authorizes West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources to implement an existing rule (58 CSR 56) governing special migratory game bird hunting. It does not create new hunting regulations but formally approves a rule previously filed in the State Register on March 31, 2025. The rule directly affects hunters participating in special migratory game bird seasons by establishing specific hunting guidelines under state law. The bill serves as procedural authorization for the Division's existing rule, requiring no new policy changes.
