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WV HB5539
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/16/2026
Primary Sponsor
Sean Hornbuckle
Click for details
AI Summary
- Allows public and private employers to grant hiring preference to unemployed coal miners without violating state equal employment opportunity laws
- Defines "unemployed coal miner" as someone with at least 5 years of aggregate coal mining employment who has been unemployed from coal mining for more than one year continuously
- Excludes individuals from the unemployed coal miner designation if they were terminated for cause, including policy violations, law violations, or safety requirement breaches
- Adds unemployed coal miners to existing hiring preference categories that already include veterans, disabled veterans, and military spouses
- Requires that any person granted hiring preference must meet all knowledge, skills, and eligibility requirements for the position
Legislative Description
West Virginia Coal Miners Employment Act
Human Rights
Last Action
To House Energy and Public Works
2/16/2026
Committee Referrals
Energy and Public Works2/16/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available