Veterans (Public Safety)

HB 4386 removes the 35-year maximum age limit for new applicants seeking appointment to paid fire departments in West Virginia. This change directly affects individuals over 35 who wish to join a fire department as new hires, eliminating the current restriction in §8-15-17(d) of state law. The bill amends the application requirements to allow anyone aged 18 or older to apply, while maintaining existing exceptions for veterans (up to age 40) and reinstated former firefighters. Key provisions include deleting the age cap but preserving retirement system rules for applicants moving between departments. The bill does not alter the 18-year minimum age requirement or the existing veteran/reinstatement exceptions.