HB 5133 would amend West Virginia law to allow any voter aged 65 or older to request an absentee ballot without needing to provide additional justification beyond their age. This change directly affects West Virginia residents 65 and older who face mobility challenges that prevent in-person voting. The bill adds "extreme advanced age" as a qualifying reason under existing absentee voting provisions, specifically listing it as a new option in subsection (b)(8) alongside medical conditions and other circumstances. It does not create new voting methods or change deadlines - it simply expands who qualifies for current absentee voting rules. The bill focuses on making absentee voting accessible for older voters with age-related mobility limitations.
HB 5104 requires parolees or probationers identified through a standardized risk assessment as having a history of substance abuse to participate in approved support services for a minimum of 60 days. This applies specifically to individuals under supervision whose assessment (mandated under §62-12-6) confirms substance abuse history. The bill adds this as a mandatory condition of release under §62-12-17(a)(4), with participation schedules approved by probation or parole officers. It directly affects individuals on parole or probation in West Virginia whose substance abuse history is documented via the court-mandated assessment process.
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.
HB 5152 prohibits public utilities from disconnecting residential electricity, gas, or water services during a state of emergency declared by the governor. It requires utilities to offer residential customers a payment plan to cover overdue bills without late fees or penalties, and to restore service within 48 hours for those disconnected during the emergency. The bill also bans disconnections for 180 days after the emergency ends for customers facing financial hardship due to the emergency. Utilities must notify customers about these protections and make reasonable efforts to contact affected households to provide payment plan options.
HB 5073 allows deputy sheriffs to retain their seniority when transferring to vacant positions in another county, provided they have not committed wrongdoing at their previous county. This directly affects deputy sheriffs moving between sheriff's offices within West Virginia. The key provision states that seniority transfers with the deputy unless they were found responsible for misconduct in their prior county. The bill amends existing civil service rules to clarify this transfer process while maintaining that promotions are based on merit and competitive examinations.
HB 5146 would amend West Virginia's drug scheduling law to remove marijuana, psilocybin, and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) from Schedule I, the most restrictive category for controlled substances. This change would move these substances to a less restrictive classification under the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The bill directly affects how these specific substances are legally treated in West Virginia, removing their current Schedule I status. It does not address medical or recreational use but changes their regulatory classification. The bill was introduced by Delegate Young and referred to the Health and Human Resources and Judiciary committees.
HB 5112 prohibits any West Virginia law from requiring residents to receive or use medical products, such as vaccines or treatments. It directly affects all West Virginia residents and ensures no penalties (like fines) or loss of benefits (such as services or programs) can be imposed for refusing a medical product or declining to disclose its use. The bill amends health code §16-3-1 to state that no law may coerce medical product use, penalize refusal, or deny benefits based on refusal or disclosure. This applies broadly to all medical products under state law, not limited to specific treatments. The law would override existing or future state mandates requiring medical products during public health emergencies.
HB 5119 establishes a legal right for West Virginia residents to access contraception and for healthcare providers to offer it. The bill prohibits state or local laws that restrict access to FDA-approved contraceptives (like pills, IUDs, condoms) or impede their use, requiring any such restrictions to prove they significantly advance safety with no less restrictive alternative. It allows individuals, healthcare providers, or the state attorney general to file civil lawsuits to challenge violating laws and seek court orders stopping enforcement. The bill explicitly does not affect health insurance coverage requirements for contraception.
HB 5149 establishes the West Virginia Prescription Drug Affordability Board to address high prescription drug costs for residents and health systems. The board will review pricing for all prescription drugs - including brand name, generic, biologic, and biosimilar drugs - and require transparency from manufacturers about drug costs. It directly affects West Virginia residents, state/local governments, health plans, healthcare providers, and pharmacies by creating a formal process to evaluate affordability challenges. The bill mandates the board to conduct cost studies, require manufacturer disclosures, and issue reports, aiming to reduce financial burdens on patients and the healthcare system.
HB 5097 requires West Virginia hospitals to provide effective communication assistance for deaf and hard of hearing patients and their families. Specifically, hospitals without an on-staff American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter must offer technology solutions like hearing loops, captioning services, or video relay systems. The bill mandates that any ASL interpreters used must be approved by the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Noncompliance can be reported to licensing authorities, and the law takes effect upon passage. This directly affects all hospitals operating under West Virginia's healthcare regulations serving patients with hearing or speech impairments.
HB 5131 establishes a two-year pilot program through the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to improve access to fresh, affordable produce in food desert communities - defined as areas lacking nutritious food options. The program requires selecting partnering providers to operate weekly markets in three designated food desert communities (including one rural area), with providers obligated to accept multiple payment methods, offer discounted produce packages, and donate surplus to food banks. It directly affects residents in these communities who struggle to access fresh food, while requiring providers to demonstrate reliable supply and include storage/recipe guides. The Department must submit a legislative report within two years detailing participating communities, families served, voucher usage, and recommendations for expanding the program statewide.
HB 5095 provides tax credits to help low-income workers access reliable vehicles by supporting charitable programs. It allows individual donors who give vehicles to qualified charities to claim up to $6,000 per vehicle (based on fair market value), and licensed auto dealers who sell/donate eligible vehicles through these programs to claim up to $6,000 per vehicle (based on price reductions). Vehicles must meet strict safety standards (no salvage titles, no open recalls, 90-day warranty) and be certified by nonprofits that provide affordable financing, financial counseling, and vehicle safety checks for households earning at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The program is capped at $300,000 annually for 2026-2027 and $1 million thereafter, with the Tax Commissioner tracking credit usage and allocating funds among qualifying charities.
