HJR 19 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow local governments (counties, municipalities) to approve additional tax increases specifically for fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) with a simple majority vote (50% plus one vote) instead of the current 60% requirement for all other tax increases. This change would apply only to levies limited exclusively to fire/EMS funding, with a three-year maximum duration and a cap preventing increases from exceeding 50% above existing tax rates. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and leaves the 60% threshold unchanged for all other tax increases. It does not alter existing tax exemptions or revenue distribution rules.
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Public Safety
HB 4089, known as "Jessica Huffman's Law," requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover scalp cooling systems for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy starting January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that any insurance policy covering chemotherapy must include coverage for these devices - described as tools to prevent hair loss during treatment - as defined by Medicare and Medicaid. This applies to policies issued or renewed after 2026, with coverage subject to standard deductibles and coinsurance like other medical benefits. The law directly affects cancer patients seeking hair preservation and insurers offering chemotherapy coverage.
HB 4619 creates a special revenue account within West Virginia’s Department of Human Services to fund expanded in-state residential treatment capacity for children, directly targeting youth currently placed out-of-state (over 10% of children in care). It establishes a Commission composed of agency leaders and stakeholders to study current placement practices, in-state facility capacity, and strategies to reduce out-of-state placements - focusing on older youth in juvenile justice systems. The Commission must develop recommendations on improving collaboration between child-serving agencies, promoting community-based alternatives, and making in-state placement availability accessible via an online system. These recommendations will guide future funding decisions and policy changes to build a more integrated, cost-effective system for at-risk children and families.
HB 4073 would add religious exemptions to West Virginia's school immunization requirements, allowing parents to exempt their children from mandatory vaccines (chickenpox, measles, polio, etc.) based on religious beliefs. To qualify, parents must submit a notarized "Certificate of Religious Exemption Form" to the school, which the state commissioner would review. The bill does not change the required vaccines or medical exemption process, but explicitly adds religious exemptions to the existing framework. This directly affects school-age children, parents seeking exemptions, and schools verifying immunization status for enrollment.
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.
HB 4965 allows state employees and retirees covered by the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) to switch to an alternative medical treatment for the same diagnosed condition without needing new pre-approval, provided the alternative is medically appropriate and costs no more than the originally authorized treatment. The bill requires healthcare providers to document the medical necessity of the switch and ensures PEIA cannot deny coverage solely for not having separate pre-approval. It does not change existing covered benefits or affect treatments for new conditions, and PEIA may still deny claims for fraud or improper billing. This policy aims to reduce delays in care while maintaining cost control for the insurance program.
This bill revises West Virginia's school immunization requirements by expanding exemption options. It eliminates the State Immunization Officer position, removes school reporting requirements for unvaccinated students, and adds new religious and philosophical exemptions for parents who object to mandatory vaccines. The medical exemption process remains but is streamlined, requiring only a physician's written statement instead of commissioner approval. These changes directly affect school and childcare center enrollment for children in West Virginia.
HB 4356 (introduced January 15, 2026) prohibits requiring licensed physicians or others to perform or assist in irreversible gender reassignment surgery. The bill explicitly states that no medical professional may be compelled to participate in such procedures if they decline for any reason, including personal or medical beliefs. It directly affects healthcare providers in West Virginia who might otherwise face mandates to provide or aid in these surgeries. The law applies only to irreversible procedures defined under existing state code and does not restrict patient access to care.
HB 4505 requires every West Virginia county school board to employ at least one full-time school nurse at each public school serving kindergarten through seventh grade. The requirement applies for every 1,500 students enrolled (or major fraction thereof), with counties able to contract with public health departments for equivalent services if approved. County boards may apply for state funds to cover costs exceeding the basic nurse requirement, particularly for students with specialized health needs. The bill also mandates that nurses be licensed registered professionals and outlines training standards for school employees who may assist with certain health procedures under supervision.
SB 446 requires West Virginia's Bureau for Public Health and Bureau for Medical Services to integrate support for postpartum depression, anxiety, psychosis, and obsessive-compulsive disorders into existing public health programs. It mandates training health care professionals on early detection using assessment tools during pregnancy, delivery, and up to one year postpartum, and expands public outreach to raise awareness about early signs of these conditions. The bill specifically targets at-risk mothers and health care providers, emphasizing culturally relevant, non-clinical education materials. This policy change updates current programs without creating new services, focusing on prevention and access to care through existing state health infrastructure.
