Labor & Employment in West Virginia

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5542: Repeal WV Right to Work

HB 5542 would repeal West Virginia's right-to-work law (specifically sections §21-5G-1 through §21-5G-7) that prohibited requiring union membership as a condition of employment in workplaces where a union is the bargaining representative. This bill directly affects workers and labor unions in West Virginia workplaces covered by collective bargaining agreements, removing barriers to fair cost allocation for representation. The key provision eliminates legal restrictions that forced unions to represent non-members without charging fees, allowing voluntary agreements where employees who benefit from union representation may be required to pay dues. The change aims to restore the ability for unions and employees to negotiate fair cost-sharing arrangements under existing labor law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5077: Related to Mental Health Protection Act

HB 5077 requires all health insurance policies in West Virginia (including group plans, public employee coverage, and hospital plans) issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to cover medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder treatment. It defines "medically necessary" as care meeting established clinical standards, being appropriate in type/duration, and not primarily benefiting insurers. The law prohibits insurers from using arbitrary "discretionary clauses" to deny such coverage. This directly affects all West Virginians with health insurance by mandating comprehensive coverage for these conditions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse Public Employees

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 5391: Amending the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System.

HB 5391 amends West Virginia's Emergency Medical Services Retirement System (EMSRS) to benefit current and future EMS personnel. It changes retirement benefit calculations to use a member's five highest-earning years instead of the current method, exempts all EMSRS pension income from West Virginia personal income tax (removing a previous $2,000 tax cap), and eliminates the 1,040-hour annual work limit for retired EMS workers returning to service in areas with staffing shortages. These changes directly affect emergency medical services workers enrolled in the EMSRS, providing tax relief and greater workforce flexibility. The bill creates the "EMS Retirement Equity, Tax Relief, and Workforce Support Act" as part of these policy updates.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Pensions Retirement Benefits Tags Public Safety

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 5315: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Commerce - Division of Forestry from Federal Funds.

HB 5315 allocates additional federal funds to the West Virginia Department of Commerce, Division of Forestry, for fiscal year 2026. It increases the budget by $250,000 for employee salaries and benefits and $500,000 for operational expenses, using unspent federal funds already designated for forestry. The bill directly affects the Division of Forestry's ability to cover staffing and daily operations during the 2026 fiscal year. This is a routine budget adjustment to utilize existing federal resources, not a new policy or program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 5280: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Commerce-Workforce West Virginia from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance

HB 5280 adds $2 million from West Virginia's unspent budget surplus to fund WorkForce West Virginia's current operations for fiscal year 2026. It reallocates existing unappropriated funds (money already budgeted but not yet spent) to the department's general budget without creating new taxes or spending. This supplemental appropriation directly supports WorkForce West Virginia's ongoing programs, such as job training and workforce development services. The bill uses surplus funds identified in the Governor's budget document, as noted in the "WHEREAS" clauses, to cover operational costs during the 2026 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Workforce Development

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5628: Relating to mitigating the abrupt loss of child care assistance resulting from modest increases in family income

HB 5628 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to develop policies that prevent the sudden loss of child care assistance when families experience modest income increases. It directly affects low-income families who would otherwise lose subsidies abruptly as their earnings rise slightly, creating instability in child care arrangements. Key provisions include implementing graduated phase-outs (so assistance decreases gradually), expanding sliding fee scales based on income, raising income thresholds for continued eligibility, and establishing transitional support periods. The department must adopt these policies by January 1, 2027, and submit annual reports on implementation to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Tags Children

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 5472: Formally recognize Mine Rescue teams as first responders in West Virginia.

HB 5472 formally adds mine rescue personnel to West Virginia's definition of "emergency responders" under the Survivor Benefits Act. This means qualified mine rescue teams - those meeting specific training and certification requirements - will now be eligible for survivor benefits if they die while performing mine emergency response duties, such as responding to explosions, fires, or equipment maintenance. The bill amends existing law to include mine rescue personnel in the same category as firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement for benefit eligibility. It directly affects mine rescue team members who meet state training standards and perform authorized emergency response activities. The legislation extends existing survivor benefits without creating new costs or programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Unemployment Tags Public Safety

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5080: Related to 12 weeks of paid leave

HB 5080 establishes West Virginia's first state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program. It provides eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually for personal medical needs, caring for a newborn or newly adopted child, or addressing a family member's serious health condition, funded through payroll contributions from employees and employers. The program covers workers meeting income eligibility requirements (including self-employed individuals who opt in), with benefits calculated based on prior earnings. Key provisions include anti-retaliation protections for employees using leave, employer notice requirements, and administration by the Insurance Commissioner through a dedicated state fund.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5358: Authorizing the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to offer locality pay to Division of Highways employees working in certain jurisdictions

HB 5358 authorizes the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to offer locality pay to Division of Highways employees working in specific areas where competitive wages are needed to recruit and retain staff. The bill allows employees in designated locations to receive an additional $10,000 annually on top of their regular salary, exceeding standard pay ranges for their position. This applies specifically to workers involved in state road projects, including planning, engineering, construction, maintenance, and traffic regulation. The commissioner must create a policy to implement this, but the bill does not guarantee funding or specify which areas will be designated.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5051: To modify the teacher retirement system so that Tier 2 teachers may use annual/sick leave towards retirement

HB 5051 would amend West Virginia's Teachers Retirement System to allow Tier 2 teachers to convert their accrued annual and sick leave into additional retirement service credit. Currently, the system permits some employees to use leave for retirement benefits at a two-days-of-leave-to-one-day-of-service ratio, but Tier 2 teachers were excluded from this provision. This bill would extend that benefit to Tier 2 teachers, enabling them to earn extra retirement credit by using unused leave. The change would directly affect current and future Tier 2 teachers in West Virginia's public school system, increasing their retirement benefits through existing leave balances.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers

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