This bill reallocates $41.1 million in unspent funds from the Department of Economic Development's existing "Site-Ready Projects, SEED, Vo-Tech and Workforce Investments" budget line to fund current fiscal year 2025 activities. It directs any remaining unexpended balance from the 2025 appropriation to continue funding these programs during fiscal year 2026. The bill directly affects the Department of Economic Development's workforce development and economic growth initiatives by redirecting existing unappropriated surplus funds. It does not create new funding but modifies how previously allocated money is spent.
SB 944 creates the West Virginia Child First Advisory Committee to evaluate and improve the state's child welfare system. The committee, composed of DHS officials, child welfare experts appointed by the governor, legislative members, and court representatives, will assess child abuse/neglect cases, foster care, adoption processes, and system efficiency. It must issue annual reports by January 1st with recommendations for reducing child removal rates, improving family reunification, and enhancing system transparency. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund (administered by DHS) to support these improvements, funded by state appropriations and federal resources.
HCR 101 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study requirements for device manufacturers and app stores to obtain parental consent before children under 18 download software applications. It would examine age verification systems, parental control features, and standardized procedures for age-based content restrictions. The study aims to inform future legislation, referencing HB2609 as a framework, and requires the committee to report findings to the 2026 legislature. This resolution does not enact new laws but seeks to evaluate potential measures for child safety on digital platforms.
SB 124 reduces the time limits for filing lawsuits to recover money owed under contracts in West Virginia. It shortens the deadline for written contracts from 10 years to 5 years and for oral contracts from 5 years to 2 years. The bill also clarifies that the "discovery rule" applies, meaning the time limit starts when a person discovers or should have discovered the issue, not when the contract was breached. This directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to sue for unpaid services or goods under written or oral agreements. The changes apply to contracts, certain bonds, and recognizances as specified in the bill's provisions.
HB 3167 requires circuit courts in West Virginia to order 12-panel hair follicle drug testing for parents or guardians in cases where child abuse or neglect has been substantiated. The test covers drug use over the past 90 days and applies to all respondents, with additional requirements for infants under two months old if a parent tests positive. Attempts to alter hair (e.g., dyeing, shaving) or failure to comply with the court order are treated as positive test results. Test results may be shared with a multidisciplinary treatment team to inform child welfare decisions.
HB 2816 clarifies that secondary legal sources - such as textbooks, treatises, or scholarly articles - do not constitute binding law or public policy in West Virginia. It specifies these sources are only persuasive when addressing causes of action, rights, or remedies, and only if they align with existing state law. The bill also allows circuit courts to certify novel legal questions (issues of "first impression") to the Supreme Court of Appeals for resolution. This directly affects courts and legal practitioners by setting clear boundaries for when external legal commentary may influence judicial decisions.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study incentives and policies to better fund public libraries across West Virginia. The resolution highlights that public libraries serve as vital community resources, particularly in underserved and rural areas, providing free access to books, digital resources, educational programs, and job training. The committee is directed to report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations - including potential legislation - to the 2026 Legislature. This resolution does not directly fund libraries but aims to identify effective strategies for improving their financial support. The study will focus on how to best sustain library services that support literacy, workforce development, and community engagement statewide.
SCR 24 is a procedural resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study West Virginia's medical residency program shortages. It directs the committee to examine why medical graduates remain "unmatched" in residency programs and explore solutions like allowing unmatched graduates to intern with licensed physicians in the state and addressing federal funding constraints for residency programs. The resolution specifically asks the committee to consider creating an Unmatched Medical Graduate Advisory Council to address these issues. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the 2026 legislative session, with any proposed legislation drafted based on those recommendations. This resolution does not enact new policy but initiates a study to inform future action on physician shortages.
HCR 98 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study improvements to West Virginia’s Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program. It focuses on two key areas: (1) creating mechanisms to reinvest proceeds from sold remediated properties and fines from property maintenance violations into the program, and (2) exploring incentives like temporary tax relief or affordable housing price caps to accelerate redevelopment of cleaned sites. The study aims to address housing shortages by ensuring local governments contribute financially and linking property remediation to faster, affordable housing development. This resolution does not enact new law but seeks a committee analysis to inform future policy changes.
HB 3505 requires health insurance policies covering cancer chemotherapy to include coverage for scalp cooling systems starting January 1, 2026. These systems are defined as devices used to cool the scalp and prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. The mandate applies to all individual and group health insurance plans, though coverage may still involve standard deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments consistent with other covered benefits. The bill directly affects cancer patients seeking hair preservation during treatment and insurers offering chemotherapy coverage.
This bill requires West Virginia Medicaid to cover home blood pressure monitoring devices for specific enrollees: pregnant individuals or those within 12 months postpartum who have been diagnosed with uncontrolled hypertension. It mandates coverage for validated devices listed by the U.S. Blood Pressure Validated Listing, including an extra blood pressure cuff, and requires reimbursement for related services like patient training, reading interpretation, and co-intervention costs. The policy directly affects Medicaid recipients with these specific health conditions during pregnancy or postpartum. It amends existing Medicaid coverage rules to ensure these devices and support services are provided as part of chronic condition management.
This Senate Resolution designates April 8, 2025, as "Child Care Day" at the West Virginia Legislature to honor the state's child care providers. It recognizes their role in supporting families, preparing young children, and contributing to the workforce through their commitment to quality early childhood education. The resolution directs the Clerk to send a copy to the West Virginia Association for Young Children. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policies or funding.
