Labor & Employment in West Virginia

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4072: Creating the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership

HB 4072 creates a pilot program where West Virginia's Department of Human Services matches employer contributions toward employee child care costs. It directly affects employers (including small businesses with under 50 employees) and their employees in West Virginia who use participating child-care centers. The key mechanism requires employers to pay for child care, then the state reimburses up to 100% of eligible costs using a new fund, after verifying employee household income against the state median. The Department administers the program, verifies eligibility, distributes funds directly to child-care centers, and maintains a waitlist when funds are limited.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4890: A 10% raise to non-uniformed corrections workers

HB 4890 would provide a 10% annual pay increase for non-uniformed administrative staff and personnel at West Virginia's Division of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services, and the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority, effective July 1, 2026. This adjustment aims to address staffing challenges by helping retain current workers and attract new employees to these correctional facilities. Funding would come from general revenue for the Division of Corrections and Juvenile Services, and from a special revenue fund for the Regional Jail Authority, avoiding additional general fund appropriations. The bill also requires that the pay increase be applied even if it exceeds the current maximum pay grade for an employee's position.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Corrections Juvenile Justice

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 585: Increasing annual salaries of certain state employees

SB 585 increases annual salaries for specific state employees in West Virginia, including West Virginia State Police members (across all ranks), forensic laboratory personnel, public school teachers, and school service staff. The bill establishes new salary schedules effective July 1, 2026, with detailed pay rates for each position category (e.g., troopers, sergeants, forensic scientists). It also maintains existing length-of-service pay increases for State Police members, which began in 2015. The legislation directly affects these state workforce groups by raising their base pay through specified salary schedules.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 5001: Prohibiting the termination of employment of an employee who defends themselves from an attack inside workplace

HB 5001 prohibits employers from terminating an employee who uses reasonable and proportionate force (including deadly force in specific circumstances) to defend themselves or others from an attack at their workplace. The bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly protect employees from adverse employment actions - such as termination - solely for using force that reasonably prevents imminent death or serious bodily harm. It specifies that deadly force may be used without a duty to retreat only if an employee reasonably believes it is necessary to save themselves or others from imminent lethal harm. The protection does not apply if the employee was committing a felony, provoked the attack, or was otherwise engaging in unlawful activity. This bill directly affects all employees in West Virginia workplaces who must defend against violent attacks.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4363: Establishing a program for camera assisted speed enforcement in active work zones on public highways

HB 4363 allows the use of camera systems to enforce speed limits in active road construction zones on West Virginia public highways. It authorizes the state highway commissioner to set work zone speed limits and permits "work zone speed control systems" (cameras) as an exception to general bans on photo enforcement devices. The bill requires drivers to obey speed limits in work zones and specifies that cameras can only be used to assist law enforcement with speed enforcement, not for general traffic monitoring. It also sets rules for camera operation, including machine function restrictions and lawful use conditions. This directly affects drivers traveling through active highway construction sites and highway authorities managing work zone safety.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4052: To enhance the safety of first responders at emergency scenes (Halo Law)

HB 4052, known as the HALO Act, makes it a misdemeanor to approach within 14 feet of a first responder after being warned not to, if the person intends to interfere with their duties, threaten them with harm, or harass them. The bill defines "first responder" to include police officers, correctional probation officers, and emergency medical personnel. It criminalizes specific actions like disrupting emergency operations or causing emotional distress, with penalties under existing obstruction laws. The law aims to protect first responders at active emergency scenes by creating clear boundaries for public conduct.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4170: To prohibit the charging of any fees to cash any government issued check.

HB 4170 prohibits merchants from charging fees to cash checks issued by state or federal government entities, such as unemployment benefits or tax refunds. This directly affects individuals who receive government-issued checks and need to cash them at retail stores or check-cashing services. The bill amends existing law to explicitly state that merchants cannot charge fees for this specific service, while maintaining standard fee limits for other check-cashing transactions. It does not change rules for cashing personal or business checks. The law aims to reduce costs for residents relying on government payments.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4924: To prohibiting municipalities participating in the home rule program from establishing on discrimination ordinances that include protected classes in addition to what is designated in state statute.

HB 4924 prohibits municipalities participating in West Virginia's Municipal Home Rule Program from creating local anti-discrimination ordinances that include protected classes beyond those listed in state law. This means cities and towns in the program cannot add categories like sexual orientation or gender identity to their local non-discrimination protections if state law doesn't already cover them. The bill amends §8-1-5a of West Virginia Code to enforce this restriction, directly affecting participating municipalities' ability to expand local civil rights protections. It does not change existing state protections but limits local governments from adding new ones.

Topics ✗ Housing ✗ Labor & Employment

Tags Local Government

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 4809: Caregiver Tax Credit

HB 4809 creates a nonrefundable tax credit for family caregivers in West Virginia, allowing them to claim 50% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses related to caring for an eligible family member, up to a $2,000 annual maximum. It directly affects unpaid caregivers (such as adult children or spouses) providing care to relatives aged 18+ who need assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or mobility. Eligible expenses include home modifications, medical equipment, hiring care aides, respite care, and transportation - not general home repairs or reimbursed costs. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after January 1, 2028, and requires certification from a licensed health care provider for the care recipient’s needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Professional Licensing

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4549: Local Government Freedom Act

HB 4549 requires West Virginia local governments to award public construction contracts over $50,000 to the lowest qualified responsible bidder - defined as the lowest-priced bidder meeting standards for ability, compliance with state laws, and a valid bid bond. The bill also permits political subdivisions (like counties, cities, and school boards) to enter into project labor agreements (pre-hire union contracts) for construction projects. Additionally, for projects exceeding $250,000, the winning bidder must provide a list of subcontractors performing over $25,000 in work within one business day of the bid opening. This directly affects local governments and contractors involved in public construction projects across West Virginia.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Tags Local Government

All labor & employment bills