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.

SB467 - Maryland Child Care Credential Program - Extension of Funding

Maryland Senate Bill 467 passed, requiring the Governor to appropriate funds to the Maryland Child Care Credential Program beginning in fiscal year 2028. The annual appropriation must be at least equal to the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2024. The bill passed the Senate with amendments on April 7, 2026, after being introduced in the 2026 Regular Session.

SB486 expands Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship to UMES health programs

Maryland Senate Bill 486 expands the Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include students attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) enrolled in Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, or Veterinary Medicine degree programs. The bill passed the Senate 41-0 on March 20, 2026, and received favorable reports from the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and the Appropriations Committee.

Children's Cabinet Fund Renaming and Local Management Board Grants

Maryland Senate Bill 668 passed both chambers, renaming the Children's Cabinet Fund to the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund and requiring the Governor to include appropriations in the annual budget bill for fiscal years 2028 through 2031 for grants to local management boards. The bill passed the Senate 44-0 on March 19, 2026, and the House with amendments on April 7, 2026.