SB 522, the West Virginia Jobs Protection Act, requires all employers in West Virginia - including businesses, government agencies, and contractors - to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the work authorization of every new hire within three business days of their start date. This applies to all employers regardless of size, with violations subject to fines of $5,000-$15,000 per unauthorized worker, license suspension, or loss of state contracts. Employers must enroll in E-Verify and begin compliance by July 1, 2026, and retain verification records for at least three years. The law aims to ensure all employees have legal work authorization under federal law, with the West Virginia Division of Labor overseeing enforcement and reporting compliance data annually.
HB 4595 would allow West Virginia to approve short-term job training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants. The bill requires the governor, working with the Workforce Development Board, to approve programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs (defined as those with earnings above 150% of the federal poverty level or identified in workforce projections). It establishes state rules for program approval and ensures alignment with federal requirements. This change would directly affect short-term training programs and their students seeking federal grant support for career-focused education. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
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 4216 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health to establish licensing requirements for lead abatement professionals through a specific regulatory rule (64 CSR 45). The bill directly affects contractors and workers performing lead paint removal or abatement in residential properties. It creates a standardized licensing process to ensure proper training and safety practices during lead hazard remediation. The rule, previously modified after committee feedback, will set baseline qualifications for individuals and companies handling lead-based paint hazards. This is a procedural authorization to implement the rule, not a direct change to licensing standards themselves.
SB 68 creates the "Voluntary Portable Benefit Account Act" in West Virginia, allowing independent contractors to open personal accounts to fund benefits like health insurance, retirement, or life insurance. Businesses hiring independent contractors (called "hiring parties") may voluntarily contribute to these accounts, but only with the contractor’s explicit written agreement and opt-in consent. The bill explicitly prohibits using these contributions to determine a worker’s employment classification as an independent contractor. It defines key terms and ensures contributions cannot be used as a factor in worker classification decisions.
HB 4009, the Portable Benefit Account Act, creates a new legal framework allowing independent contractors to access portable benefits through individually managed accounts. It directly affects independent contractors and hiring parties (businesses that contract with them), enabling voluntary contributions from hiring parties to fund benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and income replacement. Key provisions require written, opt-in agreements for contributions, prohibit using account contributions to determine worker classification, and mandate that accounts remain tied to the contractor - not the employer - when changing jobs. The bill establishes definitions for terms like "portable benefit account" and "provider," and requires administrative oversight by the Bank Commissioner.
