WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2026 REGULAR SESSION

ENGROSSED

House Bill 5511

By Delegates Toney, Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker), and Vance

[Introduced February 13, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works then Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §18A-4-10b, relating to providing an optional lump sum payment of accrued personal leave to full-time employees of a county school board upon the ending of full-time employment due to death.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 4. SALARIES, WAGES AND OTHER BENEFITS.

§18A-4-10b. Optional payment to employee in lump sum amount for accrued and unused leave upon death; no withholding of any employee contribution deduction; exception.

Every full-time employee of a county board, at the time his or her active employment ends due to death, may be paid in a lump sum amount to the personal representative of the estate of the employee for accrued and unused personal leave at the employee's usual rate of pay at the time the employment ends. The lump sum payment may not exceed $6,000. The lump sum payment may not include deductions for contributions toward retirement and may not be a part of final average salary computation. The lump sum payment shall be made within one month after the request.