Keeping Law SimpleLegislation, clearly explained
Back to West Virginia
West Virginia2026Enacted

HB4005

The Workforce Development Act of 2026

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 11:08 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a Youth Apprenticeship Program for high school students and clarifies which jobs are allowed or banned for workers under age 18 in West Virginia.

What it does

  • Creates the 'Youth Apprenticeship Program' to let public, private, or home-schooled students in grades 11-12 or ages 16 and older join apprenticeships.
  • Requires each apprenticeship to include at least 400 hours of on-the-job training and 135 classroom hours.
  • Allows the Department of Education to set standards, approve local programs, and grant students time off school for work tasks.
  • Clarifies that workers under age 18 cannot sell or serve alcohol in bars unless specific state exceptions apply.
  • Permits youth apprentices to operate machinery if their job is not on the list of prohibited occupations.

Who it affects

  • Students in grades 11 and 12, or those aged 16 years or older.
  • Employers who hire minors for apprenticeships or other jobs.
  • County boards of education that must approve local programs and create recruitment materials.
  • The West Virginia Department of Education which manages the program standards.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not allow apprenticeships in any job category already prohibited by federal law for children under 16.
  • Minors between ages 16 and 18 cannot enter burning buildings or operate fire vehicles unless a fire officer is directly supervising them.

Plain language

Terms to know

Youth Apprenticeship Program
A state-run plan where high school students learn job skills through work and classroom training to earn credits or certificates.
Hazardous Occupation Order
Federal rules that list dangerous jobs which are banned for workers under a certain age.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

Skills to work

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Chapter 120, Acts, Regular Session, 2026H
  2. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026H
  3. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House JournalH
  4. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalS
  5. To Governor 3/11/2026 - Senate JournalS
  6. To Governor 3/11/2026H
  7. House Message receivedS
  8. Completed legislative actionH
  9. Communicated to SenateH
  10. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 373)H
  11. House received Senate messageH
  12. Senate requests House to concurS
  13. Passed Senate (Roll No. 368)S
  14. Read 3rd timeS
  15. On 3rd readingS
  16. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)S
  17. Read 2nd timeS
  18. On 2nd readingS
  19. Read 1st timeS
  20. On 1st readingS

Changes

Amendments

6 stored

hb4005 sub hfa browning 1-21 _1.htm

This amendment changes the rules for hiring children under age 16 by listing specific dangerous jobs they are not allowed to do.

hb4005 sub hfa browning 1-22 _2 adopted.htm

This amendment changes the law to say that children under age 16 cannot work in jobs banned by federal safety rules.

hb4005 sub hfa browning 1-22 _2.htm

This amendment changes the minimum age for certain dangerous jobs from under 18 to under 16 and lists specific metalworking places where these rules apply.

hb4005 sub hfa dean 1-20 _1.htm

This amendment adds an exception to the bill's rules, allowing employees aged 16 to 21 to sell items at retail stores if they are directly supervised by someone who is at least 21 years old.

hb4005 sub hfa dean 1-22 _2 adopted.htm

This amendment allows employees aged 16 to 20 to sell certain items in retail stores if they are directly supervised by someone who is at least 21 years old.

hb4005 sub hfa dean 1-22 _2.htm

This amendment allows employees aged 16 to 20 to sell certain items in retail stores if they are directly supervised by someone who is at least 21 years old.