This bill amends the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Act by adding a provision that allows employers who withdraw from participation in a Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) plan to rejoin within a five-year grace period. Specifically, it states that if an employer that was participating in the plan as of July 1, 2025, decides to withdraw, they will be eligible to participate again within five years from the date of their withdrawal.

The bill also clarifies the eligibility criteria for participation in the PEIA plan, which includes mandatory participants such as the State of West Virginia and its various agencies, as well as county boards of education and certain public charter schools. The new language inserted into the law emphasizes the grace period for rejoining the plan, thereby providing a structured opportunity for employers to return to participation after a withdrawal.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-16-29