Labor & Employment in West Virginia

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 132: Increasing retirement benefit multiplier of Deputy Sheriff Retirement System Act

This bill increases the retirement benefit multiplier for West Virginia deputy sheriffs from 2.5% to 3% of their final average salary multiplied by years of credited service. It directly affects deputy sheriffs who retire on or after July 1, 2018, by raising their monthly pension amount under the Deputy Sheriff Retirement System. The change modifies the calculation method in the existing retirement law without altering contribution rates or eligibility rules. This adjustment results in higher retirement benefits for qualifying members based on their salary and service history. The policy change applies specifically to the state's deputy sheriff retirement system, not other public retirement plans.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 4133: Defining a work day for school service personnel and removing a provision relating to employment of licensed practical nurses

HB 4133 defines a standard workday for West Virginia school service personnel (such as aides, custodians, and maintenance staff) as eight hours with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break, and a half-day as four hours. It specifies that employees working weekends (Saturday/Sunday) must be paid for at least half a day per day worked, or a full day if working over 3.5 hours. The bill also removes a prior provision about employing licensed practical nurses, though the specific content of that removed section is not detailed in the text. These changes directly affect school service workers' scheduling, pay for weekend work, and defined work hours under state employment rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 4513: Authorizing adjustment from federal adjusted gross income for certain law enforcement pension benefit payments

HB 4513 would expand a state tax exemption for pension benefits by extending the existing $2,000 annual exclusion from West Virginia income tax to include Division of Natural Resources police, deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers. Currently, this exemption applies to some retirement benefits but excludes these specific public safety roles. The bill modifies tax code sections to explicitly add these officers to the list of law enforcement personnel whose pension payments qualify for the exemption. This change directly affects eligible officers in these roles by reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. The bill is in early stages, having been introduced on January 19, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Pensions Tax Incentives Retirement Benefits Tags Public Safety

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 110: Creating WV Black Lung Program

SB 110 creates West Virginia's State Black Lung Program to provide financial benefits to coal miners diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis (black lung disease). It establishes a conclusive presumption of entitlement to pain and suffering benefits after 10 years of exposure (with 15 years required for full benefits), requiring no total disability proof. Benefits are calculated as $200 monthly base plus $15 per additional year beyond 15 years of exposure, and recipients may claim these as a state tax credit. The program is funded by a new 10% tax on coal severance and electricity generation from solar/wind devices, depositing revenue into the State Black Lung Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Workers' Compensation

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4377: Relating to eligibility for workers' compensation benefits by requiring blood test after traumatic injury to determine intoxication

HB 4377 requires medical providers treating workers for workplace injuries to administer a blood test within 12 hours to check if the worker was drunk or high at the time of the injury. This applies to workers claiming benefits for traumatic injuries occurring during employment. If a worker refuses the test (after being given 15 minutes to reconsider), they lose all workers' compensation benefits for that injury. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4627: Mandate free cancer screenings for professional firefighters.

HB 4627 requires health insurance plans and self-insured employer health plans in West Virginia to cover preventive cancer screenings for professional firefighters without cost-sharing (such as copays or deductibles), except in high-deductible health plans where standard deductibles apply. The bill applies to all firefighters employed by state, county, or municipal entities and mandates coverage based on the International Association of Fire Fighters' current screening guidelines. This ensures firefighters can access regular cancer screenings at no additional cost, promoting early detection and health monitoring for this occupational group.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4074: Relating to establishing a pilot program to develop a childcare program where the state, employer, and employee, contribute one-third of the total cost each

HB 4074 creates a three-year pilot program in West Virginia where state, employer, and employee each pay one-third of childcare costs for eligible employees. It directly affects low-income workers (household income 150%-250% of Federal Poverty Level) in three urban and two rural counties who don’t qualify for existing childcare subsidies. The program requires the Department of Human Services to develop guidelines, provide technical assistance, and report annually on participation and impacts. If successful, it could lead to a permanent statewide program to improve childcare affordability, access, and quality for working parents.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Families

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4548: WV building and constructions trades code enforcement West Virginia First

HB 4548 requires employers on West Virginia public construction projects to hire at least 75% of workers from the local labor market, with flexibility for up to two non-local workers per project. If employers cannot find enough local workers, they must request a waiver from WorkForce West Virginia, which then permits hiring outside the area using the same qualifications and wage rates previously provided. The bill clarifies that the West Virginia Jobs Act applies to all public construction projects, including those managed by the West Virginia Development Authority. It also mandates the Division of Labor to create a public online database (redacting personal information) showing where workers reside on these projects, accessible for transparency. This directly affects construction employers receiving public contracts and public authorities overseeing such projects.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 18: Protecting employees who defend themselves from attack inside workplace from termination

SB 18 protects West Virginia employees who use reasonable force (including deadly force under specific conditions) to defend themselves or others during an attack at work. The bill explicitly prohibits employers from terminating or taking adverse employment action against an employee solely for using such force, provided the employee reasonably believed they or others faced imminent danger of death or serious harm. This applies when the attack is by someone who is not a co-worker or fellow employee, such as an intruder. The law does not change the standards for justified self-defense but adds a clear employment protection to prevent retaliation for lawful defensive actions in the workplace.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 166: Relating to eligibility for WV Invests Grant Program

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.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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