As of February 13, 2026, employees in West Virginia will now have access to a new paid family leave policy, offering more support for those needing time off to care for loved ones or bond with a new child.The policy, introduced by the West Virginia Department of Labor, allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, recover from a serious illness, or care for a sick family member. Employees must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months and have a minimum of 1,250 hours of service to be eligible for the benefit.Governor Sarah Henderson praised the new policy, stating, "This paid family leave program will provide much-needed support for working families in West Virginia. No one should have to choose between their career and taking care of their loved ones, and this policy ensures that employees can do both."The paid family leave policy will be funded through a combination of employer and employee contributions, with both parties contributing a small percentage of the employee's wages to the program. Employers will be required to notify their employees of the new benefit and provide information on how to apply for leave.In addition to the paid family leave policy, the West Virginia Department of Labor also announced several other changes to employee benefits. These include increases in the state minimum wage, expanded healthcare options for state employees, and improved retirement benefits for public servants.Overall, these changes aim to improve the quality of life for workers in West Virginia and ensure that they have access to the support they need to balance their personal and professional lives. Employees are encouraged to contact their human resources department for more information on how these new benefits may impact them.