West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Enacted

SB 703 — Adopting Social Work Licensure Compact

Last action — Chapter 251, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill adopts a compact for social work licensure across states.

This bill allows social workers to practice in multiple states with a single license by joining a collective agreement. It aims to simplify the licensing process for social workers who move between states or provide remote services.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This means social workers can practice in several states without needing multiple licenses.

Summary

Adopting Social Work Licensure Compact

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

73 added · 53 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of SB 703 clarifies the definitions related to temporary permits for social work, adding specific terms such as "Permit" and "Permittee," while updating the numbering for consistency. The bill will be effective 90 days after its passage, meaning that it aims to streamline the process for social workers to obtain temporary permits and clarify the responsibilities of supervising social workers. This matters because it can improve the pathway for new social workers to enter the field, ultimately aiding in the provision of social services.

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WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 703 BYSENATOW OODRUM [Reported February 13, 2026, from the Committee on Government Organization] CS for SB 703 A BILL to amend and reenact §30-30-3 and §30-30-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 703 BYSENATOW OODRUM [Passed March 11, 2026;
in effect 90 days from passage (June 9, 2026)] Enr CS for SB 703 AN ACT to amend and reenact §30-30-3 and §30-30-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;
CS for SB 703 (3) "Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other entity providing social work services.
Enr CS for SB 703 (3) "Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other entity providing social work services.
(9) (10) "Permit" means a temporary permit to practice social work issued by the board.
(10) "Permit" means a temporary permit to practice social work issued by the board.
(10) (11) "Permittee" means a person holding a permit issued under this article.
(11) "Permittee" means a person holding a permit issued under this article.
(11) (12) "Supervising social worker" means a social worker, who meets the requirements of this article, who assumes responsibility for the professional care given by a person authorized by this article to work under his or her general or indirect supervision.
(12) "Supervising social worker" means a social worker, who meets the requirements of this article, who assumes responsibility for the professional care given by a person authorized by this article to work under his or her general or indirect supervision.
CS for SB 703 (2) Establish requirements for licenses and permits;
Enr CS for SB 703 (2) Establish requirements for licenses and permits;
CS for SB 703 (c) The board may:
Enr CS for SB 703 (c) The board may:
CS for SB 703 (5) The board may propose rules or amendments to existing rules for legislative approval to comply with the provisions of this subsection pursuant to the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq.
Enr CS for SB 703 (5) The board may propose rules or amendments to existing rules for legislative approval to comply with the provisions of this subsection pursuant to the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq.
CS for SB 703 §30-30A-2.
Enr CS for SB 703 §30-30A-2.
or CS for SB 703 (B) Investigative information that indicates that the Regulated Social Worker represents an immediate threat to public health and safety, as may be defined by the Commission, regardless of whether the Regulated Social Worker has been notified and has had an opportunity to respond.
or Enr CS for SB 703 (B) Investigative information that indicates that the Regulated Social Worker represents an immediate threat to public health and safety, as may be defined by the Commission, regardless of whether the Regulated Social Worker has been notified and has had an opportunity to respond.
CS for SB 703 (16) "Member State" means a state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of America that has enacted this Compact.
Enr CS for SB 703 (16) "Member State" means a state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of America that has enacted this Compact.
CS for SB 703 (26) "Unencumbered License" means a license that authorizes a Regulated Social Worker to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of Social Work.
Enr CS for SB 703 (26) "Unencumbered License" means a license that authorizes a Regulated Social Worker to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of Social Work.
CS for SB 703 (4) Implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for a Multistate License.
Enr CS for SB 703 (4) Implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for a Multistate License.
CS for SB 703 (3) Submit, in connection with an application for a Multistate License, fingerprints, or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records.
Enr CS for SB 703 (3) Submit, in connection with an application for a Multistate License, fingerprints, or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records.
CS for SB 703 (3) Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be satisfied by demonstrating completion of either:
Enr CS for SB 703 (3) Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be satisfied by demonstrating completion of either:
CS for SB 703 (A) Passage of a bachelor's-category Qualifying National Exam;
Enr CS for SB 703 (A) Passage of a bachelor's-category Qualifying National Exam;
CS for SB 703 (h) If a Multistate Authorization to Practice is encumbered in a Remote State, the regulated Social Worker's Multistate Authorization to Practice may be deactivated in that state until the Multistate Authorization to Practice is no longer encumbered.
Enr CS for SB 703 (h) If a Multistate Authorization to Practice is encumbered in a Remote State, the regulated Social Worker's Multistate Authorization to Practice may be deactivated in that state until the Multistate Authorization to Practice is no longer encumbered.
CS for SB 703 (c) Nothing in this Compact, nor any rule of the Commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Member State to take Adverse Action against a licensee's Single State License to practice Social Work in that state.
Enr CS for SB 703 (c) Nothing in this Compact, nor any rule of the Commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Member State to take Adverse Action against a licensee's Single State License to practice Social Work in that state.
CS for SB 703 (4) If required for initial licensure, the new Home State may require completion of jurisprudence requirements in the new Home State.
Enr CS for SB 703 (4) If required for initial licensure, the new Home State may require completion of jurisprudence requirements in the new Home State.
Subpoenas issued by a Licensing Authority in a Member State for the attendance and testimony CS for SB 703 of witnesses or the production of evidence from another Member State shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it.
Subpoenas issued by a Licensing Authority in a Member State for the attendance and testimony Enr CS for SB 703 of witnesses or the production of evidence from another Member State shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it.
The administrator of the Data System shall promptly notify the new Horne Slate of any Adverse Actions.
The administrator of the Data System shall promptly notify the new Horne State of any Adverse Actions.
CS for SB 703 (2) Member States shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the Compact.
Enr CS for SB 703 (2) Member States shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the Compact.
The Commission shall CS for SB 703 come into existence on or after the effective date of the Compact as set forth in §30-30A-14 of this code.
The Commission shall Enr CS for SB 703 come into existence on or after the effective date of the Compact as set forth in §30-30A-14 of this code.
(b) Membership, voting, and meetings (1) Each Member State shall have and be limited to one delegate selected by that Member State's state Licensing Authority.
(b) Membership, voting, and meetings.
(1) Each Member State shall have and be limited to one delegate selected by that Member State's state Licensing Authority.
CS for SB 703 (4) Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws;
Enr CS for SB 703 (4) Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws;
CS for SB 703 (16) Establish a budget and make expenditures;
Enr CS for SB 703 (16) Establish a budget and make expenditures;
(d) The Executive Committee (1) The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this Compact.
(d) The Executive Committee.
(1) The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this Compact.
CS for SB 703 (F) Monitor Compact compliance of Member States and provide compliance reports to the Commission;
Enr CS for SB 703 (F) Monitor Compact compliance of Member States and provide compliance reports to the Commission;
CS for SB 703 (e) The Commission shall adopt and provide to the Member States an annual report.
Enr CS for SB 703 (e) The Commission shall adopt and provide to the Member States an annual report.
(f) Meetings of the Commission (1) All meetings shall be open to the public, except that the Commission may meet in a closed, non-public meeting as provided in subsection (f)(2) below.
(f) Meetings of the Commission.
(1) All meetings shall be open to the public, except that the Commission may meet in a closed, non-public meeting as provided in subsection (f)(2) below.
CS for SB 703 (I) Investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;
Enr CS for SB 703 (I) Investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;
(g) Financing of the Commission (1) The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
(g) Financing of the Commission.
(1) The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
CS for SB 703 (4) The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same;
Enr CS for SB 703 (4) The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same;
(h) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification (1) The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally and in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities;
(h) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.
(1) The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally and in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities;
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provided that nothing herein shall be CS for SB 703 construed to prohibit that person from retaining their own counsel at their own expense;
provided that nothing herein shall be Enr CS for SB 703 construed to prohibit that person from retaining their own counsel at their own expense;
CS for SB 703 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a Member State shall submit a uniform data set to the Data System on all individuals to whom this Compact is applicable as required by the rules of the Commission, including:
Enr CS for SB 703 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a Member State shall submit a uniform data set to the Data System on all individuals to whom this Compact is applicable as required by the rules of the Commission, including:
CS for SB 703 (g) Any information submitted to the Data System that is subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the Member State contributing the information shall be removed from the Data System.
Enr CS for SB 703 (g) Any information submitted to the Data System that is subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the Member State contributing the information shall be removed from the Data System.
CS for SB 703 (g) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule by the Commission, and at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at which the Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule, the Commission shall provide a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
Enr CS for SB 703 (g) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule by the Commission, and at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at which the Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule, the Commission shall provide a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
CS for SB 703 (1) The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed rule provided the changes do not enlarge the original purpose of the proposed rule.
Enr CS for SB 703 (1) The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed rule provided the changes do not enlarge the original purpose of the proposed rule.
If no challenge is made, the revision will take CS for SB 703 effect without further action.
If no challenge is made, the revision will take Enr CS for SB 703 effect without further action.
(b) Default, technical assistance, and termination (1) If the Commission determines that a Member State has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated rules, the Commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting state.
(b) Default, technical assistance, and termination.
(1) If the Commission determines that a Member State has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated rules, the Commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting state.
CS for SB 703 (c) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates of the Member States, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred on that state by this Compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination.
Enr CS for SB 703 (c) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates of the Member States, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred on that state by this Compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination.
(i) Dispute resolution CS for SB 703 (1) Upon request by a Member State, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise among Member States and between Member and non-Member States.
(i) Dispute resolution.
Enr CS for SB 703 (1) Upon request by a Member State, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise among Member States and between Member and non-Member States.
(j) Enforcement (1) By majority vote as provided by rule, the Commission may initiate legal action against a Member State in default in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated rules.
(j) Enforcement.
(1) By majority vote as provided by rule, the Commission may initiate legal action against a Member State in default in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated rules.
CS for SB 703 (1) On or after the effective date of the Compact, the Commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of the first seven Member States ("Charter Member States") to determine if the statute enacted by each such Charter Member State is materially different than the model Compact statute.
Enr CS for SB 703 (1) On or after the effective date of the Compact, the Commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of the first seven Member States ("Charter Member States") to determine if the statute enacted by each such Charter Member State is materially different than the model Compact statute.
CS for SB 703 (2) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing State's Licensing Authority to comply with the investigative and Adverse Action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
Enr CS for SB 703 (2) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing State's Licensing Authority to comply with the investigative and Adverse Action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
CS for SB 703 (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the Commission may deny a state's participation in the Compact or, in accordance with the requirements of §30-30A-13(b), terminate a Member State's participation in the Compact, if it determines that a constitutional requirement of a Member State is a material departure from the Compact.
Enr CS for SB 703 (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the Commission may deny a state's participation in the Compact or, in accordance with the requirements of §30-30A-13(b), terminate a Member State's participation in the Compact, if it determines that a constitutional requirement of a Member State is a material departure from the Compact.
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Enr CS for SB 703 The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
...............................................................
Clerk of the Senate ...............................................................
Clerk of the House of Delegates Originated in the Senate.
In effect 90 days from passage.
...............................................................
President of the Senate ...............................................................
Speaker of the House of Delegates __________ The within is ................................................
this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026.
.............................................................
Governor 37
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Action History

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. To Government Organization

  3. Introduced in Senate

  4. To Government Organization

  5. Committee substitute reported

  6. On 1st reading

  7. Read 1st time

  8. On 2nd reading

  9. Read 2nd time

  10. On 3rd reading

  11. Read 3rd time

  12. Passed Senate (Roll No. 118)

  13. Ordered to House

  14. House received Senate message

  15. Introduced in House

  16. To Government Organization

  17. To House Government Organization

  18. Do pass

  19. Immediate consideration

  20. Read 1st time

  21. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  22. Read 2nd time

  23. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  24. Read 3rd time

  25. Passed House (Roll No. 392)

  26. Communicated to Senate

  27. Completed legislative action

  28. House Message received

  29. To Governor 3/13/2026

  30. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

  31. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

  32. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

  33. Chapter 251, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

Sponsors

  • Woodrum · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 151 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Woodrum

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (151)

151 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 151 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Roll Call

Passed 31 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 26003
Unaffiliated 1000
Democrat 4000
Total 31003
% of votes cast 91%0%0%9%
How each member voted (34)
Member Party Vote
MR PRESIDENT — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Ben Queen Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Glenn Jeffries Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jay Taylor Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Mark R. Maynard Republican Yea
Mike Oliverio Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Not Voting
Robbie Morris Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Not Voting
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Willis Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 703 do?
Adopting Social Work Licensure Compact
Who sponsors SB 703?
SB 703 is sponsored by Woodrum.
What is the current status of SB 703?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 703?
Track SB 703 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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