SB 888, the Judicial Deference Reform Act, prohibits West Virginia state courts and administrative hearing officers from deferring to state agency interpretations of statutes, regulations, or informal guidance documents (like agency memos). Instead, courts must independently review these materials using standard legal analysis ("de novo") and resolve any remaining ambiguities by limiting agency power and prioritizing individual liberty. The law applies to all state court cases and administrative proceedings starting July 1, 2026, but does not affect federal law or cases involving federal agencies. It directly affects how state courts interpret and apply West Virginia laws and agency guidance.
SB 114 creates a pilot program offering 12 weeks of paid parental leave for eligible West Virginia state employees during the birth or adoption of a child under age 12, covering July 2026 through July 2028. Employees receive 90% of their average weekly wage (capped at $1,000 weekly) and may combine this with unpaid leave for up to 18 weeks total per 12-month period. The program applies only to full-time state government employees who have worked 12 consecutive weeks, excluding part-time workers, elected officials, and certain vocational program participants. It requires employers to maintain health coverage during leave and mandates a Department of Labor report to the legislature on the pilot’s outcomes. This is a temporary initiative with a sunset date, not a permanent policy.
SB 151 exempts the first $25,000 of cash value in a life insurance policy from Medicaid eligibility calculations in West Virginia. This directly affects individuals applying for Medicaid who hold life insurance policies with accumulated cash value. The bill changes how Medicaid assesses assets by excluding this specific amount, rather than counting it toward the applicant's total resources. This policy adjustment aims to prevent applicants from losing Medicaid eligibility due to modest life insurance savings.
HB 4971 requires new high-voltage electric transmission lines (400kV or greater) needing West Virginia Public Service Commission approval to include a substation near industrial parks if the line runs within five miles of one. It limits this requirement to one substation per 40-mile segment of the line within the state, with the substation needing completion within two years after the line becomes operational. The law applies to transmission developers and the Public Service Commission, aiming to boost economic development by linking grid infrastructure directly to industrial areas. Key provisions include evaluating substation locations based on expected job creation and tax benefits, and prohibiting route choices designed to avoid industrial park proximity.
SB 560, the Financial Accountability Stable Token Act (FAST Act), allows West Virginia to use stable digital tokens fully backed by U.S. dollars for payments to state vendors and contractors. The State Treasurer will maintain a list of approved tokens meeting strict criteria (e.g., 1:1 U.S. dollar backing, quarterly audits, and U.S. regulatory compliance) and may authorize them without further legislative action. Vendors and contractors can choose to accept these tokens voluntarily but cannot be required to do so, and such payments will satisfy the state’s financial obligations. The Treasurer must also submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing token usage, cost savings, and risk assessments.
This is a non-binding House Resolution (HR 15), not a bill with legislative effect. It expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for extending Interstate 68 from Morgantown, West Virginia, to Kent, West Virginia, then crossing into Ohio toward I-77 and I-75. The resolution urges federal, state, and local government bodies to secure funding for this corridor, which is framed as a project to boost economic growth and job creation in the Shale Crescent energy manufacturing region. It does not create new laws, funding, or requirements.
Senate Resolution 49 is a ceremonial resolution adopted by the West Virginia Senate on February 25, 2026, to formally commend volunteers for their efforts in recovering from the May 2025 flash flooding at Chief Logan State Park. It specifically recognizes community members, organizations, and local officials - including park staff, students, business leaders, and emergency personnel - who volunteered to clear debris, restore facilities, and support recovery under difficult conditions. The resolution expresses the Senate’s gratitude for their "extraordinary service" and "selfless dedication" but contains no new policy, funding, or legal obligations. As a symbolic gesture, it does not affect any laws or directly impact specific groups beyond acknowledging their contributions.
HB 5341 creates a public registry of domestic violence offenders in West Virginia, maintained by the State Police and accessible online. Individuals convicted of domestic violence against an intimate partner (with at least one prior conviction) or of sexual assault, abuse, or causing serious bodily injury must register and pay a $150 fee, with $50 funding family court services and $100 supporting domestic violence legal aid. The registry includes basic identifying details like name, date of birth, and conviction dates but excludes sensitive information such as addresses or Social Security numbers. Removal from the registry occurs after 5 years for one prior conviction, 10 years for two prior convictions or severe offenses, or for life with three or more prior convictions, applying to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2026.
SB 795 allows parents, guardians, or custodians to pay for an independent medical evaluation of their child when the child is in temporary protective custody due to emergency medical needs. This bill explicitly clarifies that parents cannot be denied the right to obtain such an evaluation at their own expense, addressing a gap in current law. It directly affects families whose children are held in protective custody for medical reasons, ensuring they can seek a second medical opinion if desired. The key provision amends existing law to state this right clearly, without changing custody decisions or medical treatment requirements.
HB 5449 repeals three sections (§62-15A-1, §62-15A-2, and §62-15A-3) of West Virginia's code that previously established the Addiction Treatment Pilot Program. The bill formally removes these outdated legal references because the pilot program itself no longer exists. This is a procedural update to the state code, not a policy change affecting current programs or individuals. The bill does not create new requirements or alter existing services.
SB 792 would remove a requirement that the Supreme Court of Appeals provide magistrates with a current copy of the West Virginia Code. Currently, state law mandates that the administrative director of the Supreme Court supply each magistrate with a copy, which remains the state's property. This bill eliminates that provision, meaning the Supreme Court would no longer be obligated to distribute the code to magistrates. The change affects the administrative duties of the Supreme Court and how magistrates access the state's statutory law for their court work.
This bill creates a truancy pre-trial diversion program in West Virginia that allows parents, guardians, and custodians of truant children to avoid criminal conviction if they address the truancy and its underlying causes. It amends existing laws to delay sentencing for parents and guardians involved in truancy cases, giving them additional time to resolve attendance issues and access support services. The legislation also permits judges to require the Department of Human Services to provide home-based family preservation services for families facing truancy charges. Additionally, the bill removes criminal penalties for students who have reached the age of majority, focusing instead on requiring school attendance without jail time.
