2024 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 5381

By Delegate Cooper

[Introduced January 31, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security then Government Organization]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section designated §9A-1-17, relating to creating a poster providing contact information and resource information on veteran benefits and services; clarifying employers required to display the poster; and clarifying how to display the poster.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 1. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ ASSISTANCE.

§9A-1-17.  Posting of information.

(a) The West Virginia Division of Labor shall consult with the West Virginia Department of Veterans' Assistance to create and distribute a veterans' benefits and services poster.  The poster, at a minimum, shall include contact information and a description regarding the following resources for veterans:

(1) West Virginia Department of Veterans' Assistance;

(2) Substance abuse and mental health treatment;

(3) Education, workforce, and training;

(4) Tax benefits;

(5) West Virginia drivers' licenses and identification cards;

(6) Eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits under state and federal law;

(7) Legal services; and

(8) United States Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Crisis Line.

(b) Every employer in the state with more than 50 full-time employees shall display the poster in a prominent position accessible to employees in the employer's workplace and, if applicable, in a conspicuous place on their website.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create and display posters with veteran information and resources.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.