West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

West Virginia Senate Bill SB 402

Introduced
1/15/26  
Refer
1/15/26  
Refer
1/28/26  
Engrossed
2/24/26  
Refer
2/25/26  
Refer
2/25/26  
Enrolled
3/14/26  

Caption

Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act

Summary

SB 402 is titled the Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act, indicating a measure focused on preparing residents for employment and improving pathways into the labor market. Because the bill text was not available in the provided materials, the specific program changes, eligibility rules, or agency duties it creates cannot be described in detail from the record here. Based on the bill title and legislative action, the measure appears to be a workforce-development bill likely aimed at education-to-employment alignment, job training, and expanding opportunities for job seekers and employers. It ultimately became effective ninety days from passage on June 12, 2026.

Impact

The bill’s legal impact is not fully discernible from the provided text, but it likely affects state workforce policy, employment training programs, and any statutes governing job readiness, vocational preparation, or workforce assistance administered by state agencies. If enacted as the title suggests, it would amend or add provisions related to workforce development and could affect job seekers, students, employers, training providers, and state agencies responsible for labor and education programs.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the Senate passed the bill 32-0, the House passed it 92-0, and the Senate concurred in House amendments 32-0. That unanimous pattern suggests the bill was broadly viewed favorably and was not politically contentious in the chambers.

Contention

No committee testimony or floor debate was provided, so specific points of contention cannot be identified from the record. The unanimous votes indicate there was little or no visible disagreement over the bill’s general purpose, though any substantive concerns about program design, funding, administrative burden, or implementation details are not available in the materials supplied.

Companion Bills

WV HB 4014

Similar To Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act

Previously Filed As

WV SB889

Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act

WV SB845

Relating to National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act

WV HB3313

Providing more opportunities for high school students in community colleges

WV HB2148

Relating to the Tourism and Commercial Opportunity Zone Tax and Tax Credit Act

WV HB3143

Workforce-Education Partnership Act

WV SB837

Eliminating WV Office of Equal Opportunity

WV HB2695

Raleigh and Mason Counties Economic Opportunity Development Districts

WV SB535

Raleigh County Economic Opportunity Development District

WV SB132

Relating to county economic opportunity development districts

WV SB536

Relating to county economic opportunity development districts

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.