2021 Legislation
The West Virginia 2021 Legislative Session concluded on April 10, 2021.
Senate Bill 254 -- Adding definitions of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to categories covered by Human Rights Act
Sponsor: Stephen Baldwin (D-10)
Bill Text
This bill seeks to ensure that all West Virginians -- regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation -- have equal protections under the Human Rights Act. Without these protections, it is possible for LGBTQ+ West Virginians to be discriminated against in the workplace, in housing, and more.
Last Action: Introduced and sent to Senate Judiciary on 2/13/21
Senate Bill 260 -- Establish the Minority Health Advisory Team
Sponsor: Stephen Baldwin (D-10)
Bill Text
This bill establishes a Minority Health Advisory, which would study minority health outcomes and make recommendations on how to best combat health disparities in BIPOC communities.
Last Action: Introduced and sent to Senate Health and Human Resources Committee on 2/12/21
Senate Bill 287 -- Requiring free feminine hygiene products in grades 6 through 12
Sponsor: Bob Beach (D-13)
Bill Text
Providing necessary products for free in public spaces like schools aims to minimize menstruation stigma and make sure girls don’t miss school because of lack of access to period products. A companion bill, HB 2564, has been introduced in the House.
Last Action: Introduced and sent to Senate Education Committee on 2/13/21
Senate Bill 288 - Katherine Johnson Fair Pay Act
Sponsor: Bob Beach (D-13)
Bill Text
This legislation will prohibit pay secrecy policies, as well as allow employees to choose whether or not they want to share their past wage history with new employers. Both of these will address contributing factors to the current state of pay inequality in WV, which as the third worst gender pay gap in the nation. A companion bill, House Bill 2121, has been introduced in the House.
Last Action: Introduced and sent to Senate Workforce on 2/12/21
Senate Bill 291 -- Removing Sales Tax on Menstrual Products
Sponsor: Bob Beach (D-13)
Bill Text
Hygiene products are a necessity to ensuring that people with periods have the ability to make their own health care decisions (and beyond) and reach their full potential. When people with periods have affordable and reliable access to the full range of reproductive health care, including period products, it helps them control their lives, health, and future.
Last Action: Introduced and sent to Senate Finance on 2/13/21
House Bill 2982 -- Requiring doctors to give patients medically inaccurate information about medication abortion
Bill Text
This bill would spread false and misleading information about medication abortion that could be dangerous for patients. This bill is written by politicians and based on an unproven medical theory that an abortion can be “reversed.”
Last Action: Signed into law on 4/28/21
House Bill 3293 -- Preventing trans students from participating in public school sports
This bill would prohibit transgender youth in middle and high school from participating in student athletics. Every student should be able to access the opportunities and lessons of school athletics. To categorically deny transgender students the freedom to play alongside their peers is completely at odds with lawmakers’ duties to care for and protect our youth.
Last Action: Signed into law on 4/28/21
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