Bill
HB 5480
Creates a state program offering paid summer jobs and work-based learning for ages 14-20 to build skills and align youth with high-demand markets.
Dermarkets: West Virginia, 2026 Regular Session
Purpose and goal
- Establishes a statewide West Virginia Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program.
- Aims to provide paid summer work experience, structured work-based learning, and career exploration for youth ages 14 to 20.
- Seeks to support high-demand industries, foster entrepreneurship, strengthen the state's workforce, and attract businesses by preparing a job-ready youth talent pool.
Key provisions and design
1) Creation and administration
- Creates the West Virginia Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program within the Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Development.
- Administered to provide paid summer employment, structured work-based learning, and career exploration aligned with state workforce needs.
2) Target population
- Priority youth population: individuals aged 14 to 20 at the time of participation.
3) Program design and focus
- Funding and placements directed statewide with emphasis on:
- Apprenticeships, internships, and paid work experiences.
- Opportunities aligned with high-demand and emerging industries identified via labor market data and workforce plans.
- Foundational skills for long-term employment and career advancement.
- Public service opportunities to engage with communities.
- Exposure to entrepreneurship, self-employment, and small business development.
- Career pathways aligned with regional economic development strategies.
4) Coordination and partnerships
- Requires coordination with:
- West Virginia Department of Education and county boards of education (to identify training opportunities).
- Division of Labor and economic development partners (to identify trends and communicate them to employers and participants).
- Employers, industry associations, and educational institutions (to recruit and offer placements).
5) Funding and grants
- State grants to private and public employer partners; funds used for participant wages, supervision, training, transportation, equipment, supportive services, and related administrative costs.
- Department must establish by legislative rule:
- Minimum matching requirements
- Participant eligibility criteria
- Valuation of in-kind contributions
- Waivers/reductions for small employers or nonprofit entities
6) Eligibility and employment protections
- Employer funds used only for wage subsidies, payroll costs, training, transportation, equipment, etc., related to youth participants.
- Participants must be paid at least the applicable minimum wage.
- Employer participation must not displace existing employees or reduce their wages/hours.
7) Reporting and accountability
- Annual reporting to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on:
- Implementation status
- Participant outcomes
- Expenditures
- Leveraged matching contributions
- First report due by December 1, 2026, and annually thereafter.
8) Rulemaking and governance
- Department may adopt rules under existing WV rulemaking provisions and may issue emergency rules as needed.
9) Funding sources and fiscal notes
- Fund: “West Virginia Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Fund” (special revenue account managed by the Secretary of the Department of Commerce).
- Accepts private/public grants and donations and state appropriations, with expenditures contingent on legislative appropriations and state procurement rules.
- For fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027, expenditures may be made from collections rather than requiring legislative appropriations (temporary funding flexibility).
10) Immunities
- Immunity from civil, criminal, or administrative liability for employer partners and their officers/employees/agents acting in good faith under the program, except in cases of malicious conduct.
Effective date
- Enrolled and became law 90 days after passage (June 12, 2026) and in effect from that date.
Impact and implications
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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