SB 530 expands West Virginia's Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit within the State Police by requiring at least one retired State Police officer from each of the 21 police districts to join the unit, increasing its size to 21 members. The bill mandates that the unit maintain an office in every State Police district (located within local Human Services offices), coordinate closely with Child Protective Services, and track statewide data on child abuse/neglect cases without identifying individual cases. It also establishes rules for rehiring retired officers (requiring specific training but no pension accrual) and requires an annual report to the legislature on unit activities and case data. The unit will focus on investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases while supporting local law enforcement and social services.
This bill requires West Virginia's wildlife director to propose new rules for hunting antlered deer. The proposed rules would limit licensed hunters to harvesting two antlered deer per season, with the second deer needing at least three points on one antler. These rules would directly affect all hunters with valid deer hunting licenses in West Virginia.
House Resolution 3 (HR 3), introduced by West Virginia delegates on January 20, 2026, requests Congress create a combined investigative task force to examine the origins and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution asks the task force to coordinate with existing investigations, investigate alleged issues like vaccine-related health impacts and business closures due to mandates, and recommend corrective actions. It specifically urges the task force to consider referring criminal charges where warranted and to address accountability for pandemic-related decisions. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but seeks a federal investigation into pandemic policies and their effects.
HB 4567 requires retailers to verify the age of customers purchasing vape products by checking government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or passport) for in-person sales to anyone appearing under 30, and using independent third-party verification services for online orders. The law directly affects all vape retailers (both physical stores and online sellers) and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. Key mechanisms include mandatory ID checks for in-person transactions and electronic age verification for remote purchases, modeled after requirements for prescription drugs. Violations may result in criminal or non-monetary penalties as specified in the bill.
HB 4571, the "Taxpayer Protection Act," prevents West Virginia residents from being wrongly classified as independent contractors instead of employees. It requires the Tax Commissioner to apply an "ABC" test to determine worker status: (1) absence of employer control, (2) work being unusual for the employer’s business, and (3) the worker operating as an independent business. Employers must prove all three criteria to classify a worker as an independent contractor; otherwise, the worker is presumed an employee for tax purposes. This ensures the state collects proper income taxes from employment relationships, directly affecting both workers (who may gain tax protections) and hiring businesses (which must comply with the classification rules).
SB 528 would make permanent daylight saving time (currently observed in summer) the official time for all West Virginia public schools, colleges, government agencies, and businesses. It specifies this time would apply year-round starting March 2nd and ending November 1st, aligning with current daylight saving schedules. However, the bill explicitly states it would only take effect if Congress passes federal legislation allowing states to observe daylight saving time permanently. This bill is conditional and does not change current time practices until federal approval is secured.
HB 4620 establishes requirements for clothing and necessity allowances for children in foster care in West Virginia. It defines "adequate wardrobe" as appropriate, seasonally suitable clothing in good condition and sets a minimum $375 initial clothing allowance for new placements, plus up to $175 for supplementary needs like illness or damaged items. The bill requires placement providers (foster parents, kinship caregivers, or residential providers) to assess a child's existing wardrobe and necessities at intake, update an inventory periodically, and use a reloadable card as the primary payment method for approved items. It directly affects children in state custody and their caregivers by ensuring access to essential clothing and supplies during foster care. The law specifies that initial allowances cover immediate needs only, not full outfitting, and outlines three payment options for the Department of Human Services.
HB 4584 establishes a market-based pay enhancement for West Virginia teachers in counties where the regional median home price exceeds the state average. It calculates an annual lump-sum payment for teachers in those counties by comparing regional home prices (including contiguous border counties/states) to West Virginia's statewide median home price, then applying a multiplier to the county's average teacher salary. The State Board of Education determines this adjustment every five years starting in 2027, certifies the amount to the State Auditor, and payments are distributed annually as taxable income. This directly affects certified teachers in specific counties with higher regional cost-of-living compared to West Virginia's average, aiming to make salaries competitive with neighboring areas.
SB 515 requires drug testing for individuals enrolled in office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for substance use disorders in West Virginia. It mandates an initial comprehensive test upon admission, followed by direct observation screening tests every two weeks for six weeks during early treatment, every 45 days for one year during stabilization, and every six months during maintenance. Providers may request additional testing for compliance, with unexpected results requiring confirmatory testing. This bill directly affects patients in MAT programs and their healthcare providers, establishing specific testing schedules under the state's treatment licensing rules.
HCR 12 is a West Virginia House Concurrent Resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention to propose an amendment. It specifically seeks to amend the U.S. Constitution to establish a fixed number of nine justices on the Supreme Court, as Article III currently does not specify the number. The resolution cites Article V of the Constitution, which allows states to request such a convention, and urges Congress to fulfill this duty. This resolution does not change the Court's size itself but formally requests action from Congress and other states to pursue the proposed amendment.
HCR 5 is a non-binding resolution introduced by West Virginia's House of Delegates. It calls on Congress to disband the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), citing claims that these agencies have become politicized. The resolution proposes transferring non-politicized law enforcement functions (like the FBI's Laboratory Division) to an interstate compact. This is a symbolic state-level action with no legal authority to alter federal agencies.
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.
