West Virginia Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction: West Virginia Bill Introduced

Demographic Data

State residents include:

1,072 active-duty service members
476 active-duty spouses
843 active-duty children
7,840 National Guard and reserve members
3,601 National Guard and reserve spouses
5,464 National Guard and reserve children

Data source: DMDC, Aug. 31, 2024.

Christopher Arnold

Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison

Mid-Atlantic Region

DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became Mid-Atlantic liaison in 2020. Prior to joining the DSLO, he spent eight years as a top-level staffer in both houses of the New York legislature, four years as director of public affairs in New York's third-largest city and three years managing several units of county government. Mr. Arnold is a former journalist and U.S. Army combat veteran.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
VIEW ALL

Military Family Access to Quality Family Child Care

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities9/17 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

02/05/2020HB 4375

03/07/2020HB 4375

03/25/2020

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

West Virginia joins the Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist interstate compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

Dietitian Licensure Compact

02/14/2025HB 2389

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

01/31/2020HB 4179

02/12/2020HB 4179

03/06/2020

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

West Virginia joins the EMS interstate compact effective 5/17/2020.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

03/08/2022SB 213

02/18/2022SB 213

03/23/2022

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

West Virginia joins the Counseling compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

04/17/2017

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

West Virginia enacted the nurse compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

02/25/2022SB 221

02/21/2022SB 221

03/08/2022

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

West Virginia Joins the Occupational Therapy Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

03/07/2018SB-456

02/26/2018SB-456

03/27/2018

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

West Virginia joins the Physical Therapy Compact!

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

03/06/2024SB 667

02/21/2024SB 667

03/27/2024

Physician Associates Compact Final Legislation

West Virginia became the fourth state to enact the Physician Associates Compact in March 2024. With seven states having passed the compact as of April 2024, the process will begin to operationalize the compact and give out privileges to practice.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

04/07/2021SB 668

03/29/2021SB 668

04/21/2021

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

West Virginia joins the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

02/13/2024HB 4951

03/01/2024HB 4951

03/26/2024

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists Final Legislation

West Virginia became the second state to enact the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists in 2024.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/06/2018SB-47

02/19/2018SB-47

03/20/2018

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Final Legislation

Child Abuse Reporting: Requires the Department of Defense family advocacy groups to be notified about any abuse or neglect of a child of a military person.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/14/2025HB 2056

State Support for Military Families With Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

02/13/2025HB 2058

Reduce Burdens

02/13/2025HB 2058

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/13/2025HB 2058

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/13/2025HB 2053

Military Family Antidiscrimination Status0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment

Housing

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Recognize MPOs

02/14/2025HB 2057

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities

02/14/2025HB 2057

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds

Military Community Representation on State Boards and Councils0/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Affairs

Nutrition and Food Security

Economic and Workforce Development

Early Childhood Education and Childcare

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

09/30/2024

Driver's License Final Legislation

The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles allows all military service members and their families to renew their driver's license and registration online.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

09/30/2024

Vehicle Registration Final Legislation

The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles allows all military service members and their families to renew their driver's license and registration online.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2025

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2025

Sign up for an eNewsletter

Connect with us

Download Our App