Recharge West Virginia Program - Workforce Upskilling Reimbursement Act

West Virginia Governor signed HB4004 into law, establishing the Recharge West Virginia Program to reimburse employers for workforce upskilling costs. Employers may receive up to $10,000 per trainee, with a $50,000 annual cap per employer. Eligible employees must have received a 25% wage increase from training and earn above the state average weekly wage.

HB4138 - Sex Offender Registration for Sexual Extortion

West Virginia Governor signed HB4138 into law, amending state code to require sex offender registration for persons convicted of sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion. The bill also clarifies that prior convictions for sexual assault of a spouse (repealed in 2000) continue to require registration.

Constitutional Carry for 18-20 Year Olds

West Virginia Governor signed HB4106 into law on April 1, 2026, extending constitutional carry (permitless concealed carry) rights to persons aged 18-20. Previously, concealed carry permits were required for all ages; now adults 18 and older can legally carry concealed deadly weapons without obtaining a license. The bill passed the House 87-9 and Senate 31-3 after legislative amendments.

HB4395 Continues School Personnel Child Safety Investigations

West Virginia Governor signed HB4395 into law on April 1, 2026, requiring schools to continue investigating allegations of child safety violations against school personnel even after the employee obtains another job or transfers to another school. The bill ensures that investigations into potential jeopardization of student health, safety, or welfare cannot be circumvented by employment changes. K-12 public schools and school districts in West Virginia must maintain investigative procedures for former or transferred employees.

Kinship Parent Subsidy Equal to Foster Parent Payment

West Virginia Governor signed HB4390 into law on April 1, 2026, requiring the state to pay kinship parents a subsidy equal to that of foster parents under specified circumstances. The bill passed the House 93-0 on February 26 and the Senate 34-0 on March 11, 2026. Kinship parents—relatives caring for children—will now receive payment parity with licensed foster parents.

HB4404 Increases Fire Department Allowance to $5,000

West Virginia Governor signed HB4404 into law, raising the maximum annual expenditure allowance for volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments from $500 to $5,000. The bill specifically covers educational and training supplies as well as fire prevention promotional materials. The legislation passed unanimously in both chambers during the 2026 Regular Session.

HB4996 - Bail Conditions for School Terroristic Threats

West Virginia Governor signed HB4996 into law on April 1, 2026, establishing mandatory bail conditions for individuals charged with making terroristic threats against schools or children. The bill passed both chambers unanimously (House 96-0, Senate 34-0). The legislation creates specific bail requirements for school-related threats, affecting defendants, courts, and law enforcement in West Virginia.

Age Verification Requirements for Websites Harmful to Minors

West Virginia HB4412 has been signed into law, requiring websites that publish or distribute sexual content harmful to minors to implement age verification methods. The bill creates liability for non-compliant publishers and distributors, establishes a private cause of action, and specifies exceptions and penalties for violations.

Maryland SB231 - Prohibits Slaughter of Racehorses for Commercial Purposes

Maryland Senate Bill 231 was enacted on April 7, 2026, prohibiting the slaughter of racehorses and related commercial transactions involving racehorses when the person knows or should know the horse will be slaughtered. The bill passed both chambers unanimously (45-0 in the Senate). Fines collected under this law will be distributed to the racing Special Fund administered by the Maryland State Racing Commission.

Uniformed Services Spouses Act - Hiring Preferences and Educational Benefits for Military Spouses

Maryland Senate Bill 243 passed the Maryland General Assembly on February 26, 2026 with a 44-0 Senate vote. The bill extends hiring preferences at the Public Service Commission and educational benefits including priority registration and scholarship eligibility to spouses of active-duty service members and veterans. The bill was favorably reported by both the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and the House Appropriations Committee after receiving amendments.