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SB 114

Creating Paid Parental Leave Pilot Program

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Woelfel

West Virginia SB 114 creates a finite paid parental leave pilot for eligible state employees and participating employers to test wage-replacement benefits for caring for a new chil

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Bill Summary · SB 114

Summary of SB 114 (Session 2026) — West Virginia

Purpose and intent

  • SB 114 creates a paid parental leave pilot program in West Virginia. The program is designed to provide wage replacement benefits to eligible employees taking leave to care for a new child or to address certain parental or caregiving needs, with the aim of supporting families while maintaining workplace income security.
  • The bill establishes a finite, time-limited pilot to evaluate the feasibility, design, and impact of paid parental leave on participants, employers, and the state.

Key provisions and changes

  • Pilot program framework

    • Establishes a paid parental leave pilot with defined duration and coverage, to be implemented in participating agencies or employers within the state.
    • Sets eligibility criteria for employees to participate (e.g., employment status, length of service, and other program-specific requirements).
    • Defines the duration of leave available to eligible employees during the pilot and the rate or method of wage replacement (e.g., percentage of wages, maximum weekly benefit, and covered days).

  • Funding and benefits

    • Specifies funding sources for the pilot, including how benefits will be financed (e.g., state funds, employer contributions, or other mechanisms).
    • Outlines benefit amounts, duration, and administrative processes for processing claims and disbursing payments during leave.

  • Administration and oversight

    • Assigns administrative responsibilities to a state department or designated agency (likely related to health, human resources, or finance) to administer the pilot, verify eligibility, and ensure compliance.
    • Establishes reporting and evaluation requirements to monitor program outcomes, including participant demographics, uptake, duration of leave, job reintegration, and employer impact.

  • Participation and protections

    • Addresses who can participate (e.g., eligible employees in participating employers or state agencies) and any limitations on participation.
    • Includes protections for employees against retaliation or discrimination for utilizing the paid parental leave option.
    • Clarifies interaction with other leave laws (e.g., federal Family and Medical Leave Act, existing state leaves) and how the pilot integrates with or supplements them.

  • Duration and sunset

    • The pilot is time-limited, with a defined end date or sunset provision to evaluate results and determine whether to extend, expand, or terminate the program.

Who would be affected

  • Employees of participating state agencies or employers designated to enroll in the pilot.
  • Employers participating in the pilot, including expectations around payroll administration, eligibility verification, and potential adjustments to human resources policies.
  • State agencies responsible for administering and evaluating the program, including data collection and reporting obligations.
  • The broader workforce, through potential model guidance and outcomes that could influence future state leave policy.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referrals
    • Introduced January 14, 2026, and referred to Health and Human Resources, then Finance, indicating initial consideration by health-related and fiscal committees.
  • Committee activity
    • A committee substitute was reported on February 26, 2026, and moved to the Finance committee, signaling progression toward potential floor action with a fiscal impact review.
  • Next steps
    • Passage would move to further readings and votes, with final legislative actions subject to committee reports, potential amendments, and budgeting considerations tied to the pilot’s funding and fiscal impact.

Notes for readers

  • Specifics such as the exact duration of leave, wage replacement rate, eligible job categories, participating employers, funding levels, and evaluation metrics are not enumerated in the summary provided. The committee-substitute version and fiscal committee review will determine these operational details.
  • As a pilot, findings on feasibility, cost, and outcomes will influence whether the program becomes permanent or expands to broader scope.

If you’d like, I can pull in the latest committee substitute language or fiscal notes to extract exact figures (benefit amounts, duration, funding) and provide a more detailed, itemized section-by-section summary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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