This bill requires physicians and osteopathic doctors in West Virginia to complete continuing education credits specifically in nutrition as part of their biennial license renewal process. The law mandates that medical professionals earn a minimum of fifty hours of continuing medical education every two years, with osteopathic physicians required to complete thirty-two hours including nutrition training, and these credits must be approved by relevant medical boards. The bill amends existing state code sections to make nutrition education a mandatory component of the continuing education requirement for license renewal.
HB 4610 allows terminally ill patients in West Virginia to access experimental, individually tailored medical treatments (like gene therapies) when standard FDA-approved options have been exhausted. It defines "eligible patients" as those with life-threatening illnesses who have consulted a physician, considered all approved treatments, and provided written consent detailing treatment risks and alternatives. Key provisions require healthcare providers to document patient eligibility, obtain specific informed consent covering potential outcomes, and prohibit debt collection from estates if a patient dies during treatment. The bill also protects healthcare providers from sanctions for offering these treatments and clarifies that it does not affect health insurers' obligations to cover clinical trial participation.
HB 4028 exempts construction contractors from West Virginia's sales and use taxes on building materials and services used for constructing, repairing, or improving public elementary, secondary, or vocational school facilities. This applies to materials permanently installed in school buildings (like framing, wiring, or plumbing), but excludes tools, equipment, gasoline, or motor vehicle purchases. The bill directly affects contractors working on public school projects by reducing their costs for qualifying materials. It clarifies that this exemption applies to both state-level and municipal sales taxes on eligible school construction work. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026, with no new revenue impact on the state.
HB 4364 establishes a formal process for West Virginia to share juvenile jurisdiction with federal courts over military installations in the state. It allows military installations to request concurrent jurisdiction for juveniles (under 18) who commit state law offenses like delinquency or status offenses (e.g., truancy or underage drinking) on federal military land. The bill requires military officials to submit a written request with specific boundaries to the Governor, who must accept it in writing and record the agreement with the Secretary of State. Once recorded, West Virginia courts gain shared authority with federal courts to handle these cases when federal courts waive exclusive jurisdiction. This applies to all military land in West Virginia, including National Guard facilities.
HB 4345 requires law enforcement agencies in West Virginia to permanently retain all records and evidence for missing persons cases that remain unresolved after one year. It mandates that agencies digitize all documentation and physical/biological evidence for these cases and transmit the complete records to the West Virginia Fusion Center. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (including county and municipal departments) by establishing new requirements for record retention, digitization, and database sharing. Key provisions include banning destruction of unresolved case files, requiring secure digital storage, and ensuring evidence is preserved permanently. This applies to all missing persons cases, not just children or high-risk situations.
This bill establishes the Recharge West Virginia Program, which provides financial reimbursement to private employers in the state for costs associated with training their employees in new skills. The program is administered by the Division of Economic Development and targets companies that wish to upskill their workforce through specialized technical training, leadership development, or registered apprenticeships. To qualify for reimbursement, employers must demonstrate that their employees complete industry-recognized credentials and achieve a wage increase of at least 25% above their previous earnings, with individual reimbursements capped at $10,000 per employee and $100,000 annually per employer. The legislation defines eligible employees as those who have lived and worked full-time in West Virginia for the past six months, while excluding public bodies and foreign nonprofit corporations from participating. Employers must submit detailed applications including training plans, job descriptions, and wage projections to the Division of Economic Development, which will establish specific procedures and standards for evaluating reimbursement requests.
HB 4552 clarifies that correctional officers in West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation who complete required training are recognized as law-enforcement officers. The bill authorizes these officers to make arrests on facility property for violations of state law, detain escapees, and carry firearms both on and off duty (with annual firearms training). It also establishes that qualifying officers are recognized under federal law (18 U.S.C. §926B) for off-duty carry and retirement benefits. The policy directly affects correctional officers employed by the Division, expanding their legal authority and equipment access while specifying training and certification requirements.
HB 4996 requires courts to impose mandatory bail conditions for defendants charged with terroristic threats against schools or child-focused facilities (like preschools or daycares). It prohibits defendants from residing within 1,000 feet of the threatened facility or any similar educational location where children are regularly present. Additional conditions may include GPS monitoring to enforce exclusion zones, no contact with students/staff, or home incarceration outside the restricted area. Violations trigger immediate arrest, bail forfeiture, or custody remand, with courts using GIS or property records to measure proximity. The bill directly affects individuals facing charges under §61-6-24(b) related to school threats.
HB 4215 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Health, Office of Inspector General, and Department of Health Facilities to promulgate specific existing regulatory rules. It directly affects water well drillers, nursing homes, clinical laboratories, local health boards, and other health service providers by enabling these agencies to enforce 18 distinct rule sets - such as water well construction standards, lead abatement licensing, emergency medical services, and patient rights at mental health facilities. The bill streamlines the rulemaking process by authorizing these rules as filed, modified, or amended by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, without creating new policies. It does not change substantive regulations but formalizes the agencies' authority to administer current rules.
This bill expands the authority of county commissions in West Virginia to sell or lease county-owned property by introducing competitive bidding as an alternative to traditional public auctions. It allows counties to sell real property directly to private parties if the price is at least 75 percent of the appraised value, while sales to government entities and nonprofits may be made without considering market value. The legislation also requires public notice through legal advertisements, establishes minimum pricing standards based on assessed values or third-party appraisals, and mandates transparency by posting all formal offers on county websites for at least 30 days. Additionally, the bill clarifies that property sold to volunteer fire departments, ambulance services, and community centers must revert to the county if those organizations later propose to dispose of it, unless the county explicitly waives this right in the deed.
HB 4437 allows Gold Star parents (mothers or fathers of veterans killed in combat) to receive one free vehicle registration plate for personal use. The bill amends West Virginia law to exempt Gold Star parents from all registration fees for a single Gold Star Family license plate, which is already available to surviving spouses under existing rules. This change directly affects eligible parents who qualify under the definition of "Gold star parent" (per 10 U.S.C. § 1126), waiving standard registration costs for one vehicle. The provision builds on the current Gold Star Family plate program without creating new fees or requirements.
HB 4053 establishes the "Blue Envelope Program" to improve communication between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder, dementia, or intellectual/developmental disabilities during traffic stops. Eligible drivers (with a valid license/permit) can request a specially designed blue envelope containing their license, registration, and emergency contact information, along with a vehicle decal and communication guidance for officers. The program, set to launch January 1, 2027, will be administered through the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, sheriff's offices, and police stations.
