Loading chat...

WV HB5251

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

2/5/2026

Primary Sponsor

Mike Pushkin

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Adds "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected categories under West Virginia's Human Rights Act and Fair Housing Act
  • Defines "sexual orientation" as heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression, whether actual or perceived
  • Defines "gender identity" as actual or perceived gender-related identity, expression, appearance, mannerisms, or other characteristics regardless of designated sex at birth
  • Prohibits discrimination based on these categories in employment, public accommodations, and housing, alongside existing protections for race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness, disability, and familial status
  • Applies to employers with 12 or more employees working 20 or more calendar weeks per year

Legislative Description

Adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the categories covered by the Human Rights Act and WV Fair Housing Act

Human Rights

Last Action

To House Government Organization

2/5/2026

Committee Referrals

Government Organization2/5/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available