Labor & Employment

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4548: WV building and constructions trades code enforcement West Virginia First

HB 4548 requires employers on West Virginia public construction projects to hire at least 75% of workers from the local labor market, with flexibility for up to two non-local workers per project. If employers cannot find enough local workers, they must request a waiver from WorkForce West Virginia, which then permits hiring outside the area using the same qualifications and wage rates previously provided. The bill clarifies that the West Virginia Jobs Act applies to all public construction projects, including those managed by the West Virginia Development Authority. It also mandates the Division of Labor to create a public online database (redacting personal information) showing where workers reside on these projects, accessible for transparency. This directly affects construction employers receiving public contracts and public authorities overseeing such projects.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires same wage rates for non-local workers via waiver, preventing wage undercutting and supporting fair pay standards under labor employment policies.85% confidence

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 18: Protecting employees who defend themselves from attack inside workplace from termination

SB 18 protects West Virginia employees who use reasonable force (including deadly force under specific conditions) to defend themselves or others during an attack at work. The bill explicitly prohibits employers from terminating or taking adverse employment action against an employee solely for using such force, provided the employee reasonably believed they or others faced imminent danger of death or serious harm. This applies when the attack is by someone who is not a co-worker or fellow employee, such as an intruder. The law does not change the standards for justified self-defense but adds a clear employment protection to prevent retaliation for lawful defensive actions in the workplace.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects employees from termination for using reasonable force in self-defense during workplace attacks, directly advancing workplace safety and workers' rights protections.95% confidence

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 166: Relating to eligibility for WV Invests Grant Program

SB 166 amends West Virginia's WV Invests Grant Program to include associate degrees and certificates in emergency medical services (EMS) as eligible post-secondary programs. This change directly affects West Virginia residents pursuing EMS credentials by allowing them to qualify for the grant, which covers tuition and fees at participating institutions. The bill modifies the eligibility requirements in §18C-9-5(a)(8) to explicitly include EMS programs, without altering other existing grant terms like residency, academic standards, or the repayment agreement for graduates who leave the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands grant eligibility for EMS associate degrees, increasing access to higher education funding and aligning with educational access indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds EMS education grants, expanding healthcare workforce training for emergency services by including EMS credentials in grant eligibility.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands grant eligibility for EMS credentials, enabling workforce development in a critical labor sector by reducing education barriers for future workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 522: Creating WV Jobs Protection Act

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.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates E-Verify for all employers, increasing state-level immigration enforcement and restricting unauthorized employment per federal system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires E-Verify for all new hires, setting an employment standard to verify work authorization, protecting legal workers and advancing employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Work Authorization

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4595: Approving short-term training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants

HB 4595 would allow West Virginia to approve short-term job training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants. The bill requires the governor, working with the Workforce Development Board, to approve programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs (defined as those with earnings above 150% of the federal poverty level or identified in workforce projections). It establishes state rules for program approval and ensures alignment with federal requirements. This change would directly affect short-term training programs and their students seeking federal grant support for career-focused education. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by enabling short-term training programs to qualify for federal Workforce Pell Grants, aligning with higher education funding goals and workforce development needs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentApproves short-term training for high-wage jobs, aligning with federal grants to enhance workforce readiness and employment outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Workers' Compensation Workforce Development

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

HB 4876: Relating generally to child labor

HB 4876 replaces the previous work permit requirement for 14-15-year-olds with a new "age certificate" system. Employers hiring children aged 14 or older must obtain this certificate from the State Commissioner of Labor, which requires proof of age (like a birth certificate), school attendance details, parental consent, and approved work hours. The certificate must include the child's full name, birth details, and work hour limits, and it must be kept on file by the employer. This bill directly affects employers hiring minors and shifts verification responsibility to the Labor Commissioner, while adding penalties for improper certificate issuance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires school attendance, parental consent, and hour limits for minors, strengthening child labor protections through mandatory documentation and oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards

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

HB 4216: Relating to authorizing the Department of Health to promulgate a legislative rule relating to lead abatement licensing

HB 4216 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health to establish licensing requirements for lead abatement professionals through a specific regulatory rule (64 CSR 45). The bill directly affects contractors and workers performing lead paint removal or abatement in residential properties. It creates a standardized licensing process to ensure proper training and safety practices during lead hazard remediation. The rule, previously modified after committee feedback, will set baseline qualifications for individuals and companies handling lead-based paint hazards. This is a procedural authorization to implement the rule, not a direct change to licensing standards themselves.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes licensing standards for lead abatement in residential properties to ensure safety, directly protecting tenants from health hazards in housing.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates licensing for lead abatement professionals to ensure proper training and safety practices, directly improving workplace safety standards for hazardous residential lead removal workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Tags Licensing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 68: Creating Voluntary Portable Benefit Account Act

SB 68 creates the "Voluntary Portable Benefit Account Act" in West Virginia, allowing independent contractors to open personal accounts to fund benefits like health insurance, retirement, or life insurance. Businesses hiring independent contractors (called "hiring parties") may voluntarily contribute to these accounts, but only with the contractor’s explicit written agreement and opt-in consent. The bill explicitly prohibits using these contributions to determine a worker’s employment classification as an independent contractor. It defines key terms and ensures contributions cannot be used as a factor in worker classification decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables independent contractors to fund health insurance via portable accounts, expanding access to coverage for a group typically lacking employer-provided benefits.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors, expanding access to health/retirement coverage and preventing misclassification as employment status.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Gig Economy

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4009: Relating to the creation of the Portable Benefit Account Act

HB 4009, the Portable Benefit Account Act, creates a new legal framework allowing independent contractors to access portable benefits through individually managed accounts. It directly affects independent contractors and hiring parties (businesses that contract with them), enabling voluntary contributions from hiring parties to fund benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and income replacement. Key provisions require written, opt-in agreements for contributions, prohibit using account contributions to determine worker classification, and mandate that accounts remain tied to the contractor - not the employer - when changing jobs. The bill establishes definitions for terms like "portable benefit account" and "provider," and requires administrative oversight by the Bank Commissioner.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes health insurance as a covered benefit in portable accounts, enabling independent contractors to access coverage through voluntary employer contributions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates portable benefits access for independent contractors, expanding health/retirement options typically unavailable to this workforce segment.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Gig Economy