HB 5480 establishes the West Virginia Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program to provide paid summer jobs and career training for youth aged 14-20, with priority given to those in foster care, receiving public assistance (like TANF or SNAP), or involved in the justice system. Administered by the Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Development, the program requires partnerships with private businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to create work placements and career exploration opportunities. It mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, allows private funding through matching contributions, and creates a special revenue account to support operations. The goal is to address workforce shortages, retain youth in West Virginia, and build a skilled local workforce through structured employment experiences.
HB 5178 requires employers to deposit 15% of a minor’s gross earnings from artistic/creative work (like acting, music, or content creation) or name/image/likeness (NIL) use into a blocked trust account. It directly affects minors under 18 who earn income through these activities, including social media content creators and student-athletes. The funds remain inaccessible until the minor turns 18, with employers mandated to provide monthly records to parents/guardians and open the account within 7 business days of qualifying activity. The bill also specifies that independent content creators are excluded from these requirements.
HB 5539 would allow West Virginia employers (both public and private) to give hiring preference to unemployed coal miners who meet specific criteria. To qualify, a miner must have worked in coal mining for at least five years, been unemployed as a coal miner for over one year, not be retired, and not have been fired for cause (like safety violations). Employers could prioritize these miners only if they meet all job-specific knowledge, skills, and eligibility requirements. The bill aims to support coal miners displaced by industry changes by creating a legal pathway for targeted hiring. This is a proposed policy change, not yet enacted.
HB 5628 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to develop policies that prevent the sudden loss of child care assistance when families experience modest income increases. It directly affects low-income families who would otherwise lose subsidies abruptly as their earnings rise slightly, creating instability in child care arrangements. Key provisions include implementing graduated phase-outs (so assistance decreases gradually), expanding sliding fee scales based on income, raising income thresholds for continued eligibility, and establishing transitional support periods. The department must adopt these policies by January 1, 2027, and submit annual reports on implementation to the legislature.
HB 4586, introduced in West Virginia's 2026 legislative session, would prohibit state agencies and local governments from purchasing electric vehicles that may contain components made through forced labor or oppressive child labor. The bill defines "forced labor" as work obtained by coercion or fraud, including labor involving protected characteristics, and "oppressive child labor" as employment of children under 14 in hazardous work like mining. It requires all government contracts for electric vehicles to include a provision ensuring no components were produced using such labor, aligning with federal actions like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. If enacted, the law would directly affect all state departments, counties, municipalities, schools, and universities purchasing electric vehicles, preventing taxpayer funds from supporting vehicles linked to unethical labor practices. The bill is currently pending in the House Government Organization Committee.
SB 376 authorizes the West Virginia Division of Labor to implement a child labor rule (42 CSR 09) that was developed and modified to address legislative objections. The rule, previously filed in the State Register, will establish regulations governing child labor practices. This procedural bill directly affects employers who hire minors and ensures the rule is officially in effect without altering its content.
HB 4005, "Skills to Work," creates a state-funded Youth Apprenticeship Program for West Virginia students aged 16 or older in 11th or 12th grade. It allows these students to earn high school credit and job skills certifications through structured apprenticeships in fields like manufacturing, healthcare, and office technology, requiring 135 classroom hours and 400 on-the-job training hours per program. The bill mandates schools to partner with employers to develop approved apprenticeships, with standards including progressive wages, performance evaluations, and school approval. It also clarifies that apprenticeships cannot include hazardous occupations prohibited for minors under federal and state child labor laws. The program must be fully implemented across all school systems by the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 4325 authorizes the West Virginia Division of Labor to implement a specific child labor rule (42 CSR 09) that was drafted, revised, and refilled after committee feedback. The rule sets concrete standards for minors' work hours, job types, and safety requirements in the state. This bill directly affects employers who hire minors and the Division of Labor, which will enforce the rule.
HB 4152, the Workforce-Education Partnership Act, allows West Virginia business owners to contract employees to vocational programs or high school classes while the employees retain full-time status and benefits. Businesses receive a 100% tax credit on wages paid during participation, capped at $50,000 per business annually and $5 million statewide yearly. Employees must meet program qualifications and cannot replace certified teachers in core subjects, but may provide specialized training in fields like trade skills or healthcare. The law ensures fiscal responsibility through strict caps and uses existing state resources to minimize administrative costs.
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.
