HB 5083 creates a paid parental leave pilot program for West Virginia state employees. It provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave (at 90% of average weekly wage, capped at $1,000 weekly) for birth or adoption of a child under age 12, during the period July 2026-July 2028. Employees must have worked 12 consecutive weeks for state government and submit documentation (birth/adoption records). The program expires December 31, 2029, and requires employers to maintain health coverage and benefits during leave. It does not cover part-time, elected, or certain vocational rehabilitation employees.
HB 5141 requires all health insurance providers in West Virginia to cover infertility services, directly affecting residents diagnosed with infertility or facing fertility risks from medical treatments like chemotherapy. The bill mandates coverage for diagnosis, medically necessary fertility treatments (including IVF for cases requiring it), and fertility preservation services (like egg/sperm freezing) before procedures known to impair fertility. Insurers must provide these services without prohibited limitations, covering evaluations, medications, donor materials, and storage of preserved reproductive material. This applies to all group health insurance policies and aligns with medical standards for "medically necessary" care, as defined in the bill.
HB 5148, the Student Bill of Rights, creates a formal framework of rights for all public school students in West Virginia. It directly affects every student by guaranteeing access to meaningful education, safe facilities, free expression (including speech and assembly), and the right to participate in curriculum development. Key mechanisms include requiring schools to provide written copies of the Student Bill of Rights at registration, maintain accessible written policies, and establish clear grievance procedures for complaints. The bill also ensures students can express views without discrimination, receive timely notice of school rules, and access their educational records. These provisions aim to standardize student protections across all public schools in the state.
HB 5107 requires West Virginia courts to verify specific conditions before returning a child to a home where they were previously removed due to abuse or neglect. The bill mandates courts confirm that child welfare agencies made reasonable efforts to preserve the family, provided reasonable accommodations for parents with disabilities (per the Americans with Disabilities Act), and documented why reunification isn't safe or appropriate. This applies to all cases where a child is being considered for return home after removal, affecting courts, child welfare departments, parents, and the children involved. The law aims to ensure safety and proper planning before reunification decisions are made.
HB 5062 creates the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act to expand Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and infants in West Virginia. It extends postpartum coverage to one year (up from the previous standard), increases reimbursement rates for prenatal/delivery care to at least $600, and adds coverage for depression screening, self-measured blood pressure monitoring, remote ultrasounds, and doula services. The bill directly affects low-income pregnant women and newborns whose family incomes are at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Key provisions include requiring Medicaid to cover specific services like fetal monitoring and gestational diabetes management without bundled payments, and ensuring continuous eligibility for one year after pregnancy regardless of income changes.
HB 5072 creates West Virginia's TechCred Program, which reimburses employers up to $2,000 per employee for training costs to earn approved microcredentials (industry-recognized certifications completed in under a year). Employers must apply with proof of state business registration, tax compliance, and environmental adherence, while employees must be West Virginia residents. The program requires microcredentials to be approved by the higher education chancellor, prohibits employers from requiring continued employment after training, and mandates annual updates to a list of approved training providers. This directly affects West Virginia employers and their employees seeking job-relevant skills through short-term credentialing.
HB 5132 replaces West Virginia's 180-day school year requirement with a new system based on minimum daily instructional hours. It sets specific daily hour requirements: 315 minutes for K-5, 330 minutes for 6-8, and 345 minutes for 9-12, counting instructional time and related school activities. The bill allows counties to use "equivalent time" gained by extending school days to cover weather closures or schedule teacher planning days, while still meeting the total hour requirement. This change directly affects all public K-12 schools and students across West Virginia by shifting focus from calendar days to measured instructional time.
HB 5114 would remove the state sales tax on gun safes and specific firearm safety devices. This change applies directly to consumers purchasing these items, making them tax-exempt under West Virginia's sales tax code. The bill amends Section 11-15-9 of the tax code to explicitly add these products to the list of exempt items. It creates a concrete policy change by eliminating a tax burden on these safety products.
HB 5076 prohibits tax preparation software companies from charging fees to West Virginia taxpayers for electronically filing state tax returns. The bill directly affects software developers and vendors (including online platforms) that provide tax preparation tools, banning them from adding fees for e-filing services. Key provisions define "electronic filing" as internet-based submission and require all authorized tax returns to be filed without added costs. This policy change ensures taxpayers pay no extra fee specifically for using software to submit their state tax returns electronically. The bill applies to all taxpayers liable for West Virginia personal income tax.
HB 5078 creates a refundable state child tax credit for West Virginia residents who claim the federal child tax credit for eligible children. The credit equals 50% of the federal child and dependent care tax credit amount claimed on the federal return, directly supporting working families with children. For tax years starting January 1, 2025, any credit amount exceeding the resident's state income tax liability is refunded to the individual. This policy change expands state support for families already qualifying for the federal credit, aiming to reduce child poverty and bolster local economies.
HB 5145 establishes a state-sponsored portable insurance benefit plan in West Virginia for independent contractors. Hiring parties (businesses engaging contractors) may voluntarily contribute to the plan, but these contributions cannot be used to determine employment classification or establish workers' compensation liability. Benefits remain tied to the individual contractor, not a specific hiring party, ensuring coverage continuity when switching between employers. The plan aims to provide consistent health insurance access for gig economy workers while legally protecting businesses from misclassification claims.
HB 5137 would exempt county school buses from paying toll fees when used for regular school activities. Specifically, it covers buses transporting students to and from school, school-related events (like field trips and sports), and maintenance driving. The bill applies only to buses operated by county school systems within their regular school operations. This change would directly affect school districts and bus drivers by eliminating toll costs for these essential transportation services.
