WV HB5424

Creates the Worker Citizenship Verification Act of 2026, requiring all West Virginia employers to verify that prospective employees are natural born or legally naturalized U.S. citizens before hiring

Establishes a tiered penalty system for violations: first offense receives a formal warning, second offense results in a $2,500 fine per violation plus one-year ban from state contracts, third offense triggers a $5,000 fine per violation and permanent business license revocation

Requires the Labor Commissioner to identify "High Risk Industries" more likely to employ unauthorized workers and conduct more frequent unannounced inspections of those businesses

Provides civil immunity for employers who terminate workers to comply with the act and preempts local governments from enacting policies that limit enforcement of the law

Mandates employers retain citizenship verification records for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer, and allows the Secretary of State to assist with document verification