HB 5600 adds the West Virginia Fire Marshal's office as a formal representative to the Law-Enforcement Professional Standards Subcommittee (LEPS). This subcommittee oversees law enforcement officer training, certification, and inactive certification reinstatement. The bill amends existing law to include the Fire Marshal's office as the twelfth member on the committee, alongside current representatives from state police, sheriffs, police associations, and other entities. This change directly affects the LEPS committee's composition and ensures fire marshal input in professional standards decisions.
HB 5540 would require law enforcement in West Virginia to inform individuals upon arrest of three specific rights: the right to remain silent, the right to have an attorney present during questioning, and the warning that statements may be used against them in court. This bill directly affects anyone arrested for civil or criminal violations in the state by codifying standard due process warnings into state law. The key provision mandates these specific advisements be provided at the time of arrest, aligning with established legal protections. The bill does not create new rights but formally incorporates existing due process requirements into West Virginia's Code. It is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after introduction on February 16, 2026.
HB 5593 would allow pharmacists in West Virginia to sell ivermectin to consumers without a doctor's prescription. The bill directly affects pharmacies, pharmacists, and anyone purchasing ivermectin for personal use. It adds a new section to state law (§60A-2-204a) specifically permitting over-the-counter sales, dispensing, and possession of ivermectin. This changes current requirements by removing the need for a prescription, making the drug accessible without a healthcare provider's authorization. The bill does not address medical uses or safety considerations, only the regulatory framework for its sale.
HB 5559 creates West Virginia's participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across multiple participating states using a single "multistate license" instead of obtaining separate licenses in each state. It directly affects licensed social workers seeking to practice in more than one member state, as well as clients needing consistent access to social work services. The key provision establishes standardized requirements for multistate licensure, including background checks, and creates a commission to manage the compact's operations and resolve disputes between states. This eliminates barriers for social workers moving between states while ensuring public access to qualified professionals under a unified licensing system.
HB 5624 amends West Virginia's asbestos abatement regulations by updating key definitions, including terms like "asbestos," "asbestos abatement project," and "asbestos contractor." The bill repeals section §16-32-9c and revises sections §16-32-2, §16-32-11, and §16-32-15 to modernize the regulatory framework. This directly affects asbestos contractors, workers, inspectors, and management planners who handle asbestos-containing materials. The provided text does not detail additional specific requirements beyond the revised definitions, as the bill focuses on clarifying terminology for compliance.
HB 5607 would amend West Virginia's PROMISE Scholarship Program to cover full tuition, room, and board for students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at state institutions of higher education, replacing the current $4,750 annual cap for these students. This change applies to new recipients and continues existing awards for STEM students who received the scholarship before January 1, 2010. The bill does not alter other eligibility requirements, such as maintaining a 3.0 grade point average or applying for federal student aid. The policy directly increases financial support for eligible STEM students at West Virginia's public colleges and universities.
HB 5632 sets a 60-day deadline for West Virginia municipalities and counties to approve or deny permit applications for property development. If a local government misses this deadline, the permit is automatically approved, unless the request requires prior state or federal agency approval (extending the deadline to 120 days total). The bill also requires local officials to provide written reasons for denials or claims that an application is incomplete. It aims to give applicants more time for review while aligning with existing legal notice requirements under Chapter 8A.
HB 5542 would repeal West Virginia's right-to-work law (specifically sections §21-5G-1 through §21-5G-7) that prohibited requiring union membership as a condition of employment in workplaces where a union is the bargaining representative. This bill directly affects workers and labor unions in West Virginia workplaces covered by collective bargaining agreements, removing barriers to fair cost allocation for representation. The key provision eliminates legal restrictions that forced unions to represent non-members without charging fees, allowing voluntary agreements where employees who benefit from union representation may be required to pay dues. The change aims to restore the ability for unions and employees to negotiate fair cost-sharing arrangements under existing labor law.
HB 5621, the "Prosecutor FOIA Bill," would amend West Virginia law to explicitly exempt records held by prosecuting attorneys related to criminal investigations from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. This change would prevent the public from accessing case files, investigative materials, and other documents maintained by county prosecutors' offices. The bill specifically targets the exemption for "records and materials relating to the detection and investigation of crime which are received and maintained by a prosecuting attorney," making this provision clearer and more specific. As a result, the public would have fewer avenues to obtain such records through FOIA requests.
HB 5586 establishes a new minimum salary schedule for classroom teachers in West Virginia, effective for the 2024-2025 school year and continuing thereafter. The bill sets specific minimum salary amounts based on teachers' years of experience (0-26+ years) and educational qualifications (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degrees). This policy change directly affects all public school classroom teachers in West Virginia by creating a standardized pay structure with different rates for various experience levels and education levels. The bill amends §18A-4-2 of the Code of West Virginia to implement this new salary framework.
HB 5567, the Biometric Information Privacy Act, requires private businesses (like retailers or tech companies) to create written policies for securely storing and permanently destroying customers' biometric data - such as fingerprints, facial scans, or voiceprints - within three years of the last interaction or when the data's purpose is fulfilled. It explicitly excludes health-related biometric data (covered under federal HIPAA) and common identifiers like Social Security numbers. The bill mandates that businesses obtain written consent before collecting biometric information and provides individuals with a legal right to sue if their data is mishandled. This law directly affects private entities using biometrics for identification, aiming to prevent irreversible identity theft risks by regulating how such sensitive data is managed.
HB 5570 proposes to exempt transportation companies (common or contract carriers) that move processed recycled materials for commercial or industrial businesses from certain state regulations. Specifically, it would remove requirements for vehicles transporting these materials from business customers to recycling facilities. The exemption applies only to "processed source-separated recycled materials" and does not eliminate safety or insurance rules that carriers must still follow. This bill directly affects waste haulers and businesses generating recyclable materials who use contracted transportation services.
