SB 155: Relating to adjunct teaching permits - West Virginia

sb155 sfat grady _1 2-4 adopted.htm → sb155 sfat martin _1 3-10 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill sponsor changed from Senator Grady to Senator Martin, and the amendment text was updated to clarify that specific requirements apply separately to each year of employment, with the exception that the permit remains valid for one year. It also explicitly requires county boards to repost positions annually when seeking to employ an adjunct teacher.

Scope change

The amendment now clarifies the annual nature of the permit requirements and mandates reposting of positions for each year of employment.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that most requirements apply separately to each year of employment, with the permit validity being the single exception.

Added an explicit requirement for county boards to repost the position each year when seeking to employ an individual under an adjunct teaching permit.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill sponsor name from Senator Grady to Senator Martin and updated the adoption date from February 4 to March 10.

sb155 sfa martin _1 3-10 adopted.htm → sb155 sfat grady _1 2-4 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill's sponsor changed from Senator Martin to Senator Grady, and the legislative focus shifted from a specific amendment regarding criminal history checks to a comprehensive new bill establishing a formal program for adjunct teaching permits. This new version defines the eligibility, duties, and contractual requirements for part-time teachers, including mentorship and training, while explicitly prohibiting them from teaching special education.

Scope change

The scope expanded from a narrow amendment on criminal background checks to a broad new statute creating a complete framework for adjunct teaching permits, including hiring conditions, compensation, and reporting requirements.

TECHNICAL

The bill title and sponsor were changed from Senator Martin to Senator Grady, and the bill text was replaced entirely with a new version.

ELIGIBILITY

A new program was created allowing individuals to receive adjunct teaching permits to fill vacant positions or offer new classes only when no certified teacher is available.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added mandating teacher mentorship, completion of specific training, and the prohibition of adjunct teachers from providing special education instruction.

The previous amendment proposal to modify the criminal history check requirement was removed and replaced by the new comprehensive bill text.

ENFORCEMENT

County boards are now required to enter into written contracts with adjunct teachers, report employment data to the state, and publicly announce vacant positions.

sb155 h ed am _1 adopted.htm → sb155 sfa martin _1 3-10 adopted.htm · 2 edits

MINOR

The amendment shifts the bill's focus from expanding restrictions on adjunct teachers to clarifying an existing exemption. Originally, the House version required the state to evaluate adjunct teachers annually and mandate reposting of positions for renewal. The Senate amendment removes these new evaluation and reposting requirements, instead specifying that the criminal history check rule is excluded from a separate section. This change effectively preserves the current status quo for adjunct teacher employment while refining the text of a criminal background check provision.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding adjunct teacher employment was narrowed; provisions requiring annual performance evaluations and mandatory reposting of positions were removed.

REQUIREMENT

Deletion of a requirement for the state to establish an evaluation process for adjunct teachers and a mandate for counties to repost positions annually.

Insertion of text clarifying that the requirement for a criminal history check is excluded from a specific section of the bill.

Enrolled Version → sb155 h ed am _1 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify that all requirements for adjunct teaching permits must be met separately for each year of employment, rather than cumulatively. Additionally, the amendment explicitly defines the permit as valid for only one year, mandates that schools repost the position annually, and ties permit renewal to a performance evaluation. These changes ensure that adjunct teachers are held to consistent standards each year they are hired and prevent indefinite employment without re-evaluation.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was refined to strictly limit the duration of adjunct teaching permits to one year per hiring cycle and enforce annual reposting of positions.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that all statutory requirements for adjunct teaching permits apply independently to each year of employment, rather than accumulating over time.

DEFINITION

Explicitly defined the adjunct teacher permit as valid for a single one-year period from the date of issuance.

ENFORCEMENT

Mandated that county boards must repost the vacant position every year they wish to employ an individual under an adjunct teaching permit.

Linked the renewal of the permit to a teacher's performance meeting a basic standard as determined by a formal evaluation.

Engrossed Version → Enrolled Version · 3 edits · Apr 1, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enacted into law, changing the status from a draft proposal to an active statute effective 90 days after passage. The core policy content regarding the creation of an 'adjunct teaching permit' remains consistent between the versions, allowing schools to hire non-certified teachers for one-year terms to fill vacancies or offer new programs when certified teachers are unavailable.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a proposed amendment to an enacted law, establishing the legal authority for the West Virginia Department of Education and county boards to issue and manage adjunct teaching permits.

TIMELINE

Added specific effective dates: the bill passed on March 14, 2026, and becomes effective 90 days later on June 12, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Updated the legislative header to reflect the 'Enrolled Version' and included signatures for the Clerk of the Senate, Clerk of the House, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and the Governor.

ENFORCEMENT

Added certification language stating that the Clerks of both legislative chambers certify the bill is correctly enrolled, a standard procedural step for enacted laws.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Version · 7 edits · Mar 14, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was transitioned from an introduced draft to an engrossed version, incorporating significant substantive changes to create a new 'Adjunct Teaching Permit' (§18A-3-2b). The primary addition allows schools to hire non-certified individuals with specific experience or degrees to fill vacancies or offer new programs, provided no certified teacher is available. Key policy changes include setting the permit duration to one year (renewable based on performance), establishing flexible compensation agreements, mandating mentorship and specific training, and prohibiting adjuncts from teaching special education.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general proposal to include a specific new section (§18A-3-2b) governing adjunct teaching permits, which did not exist in the introduced version.

SCOPE

Added a completely new section (§18A-3-2b) creating a legal framework for 'Adjunct Teaching Permits' to hire non-certified staff.

ELIGIBILITY

Established eligibility criteria requiring four years of experience or a related college degree in the content area.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that adjunct teachers be assigned a mentor and complete specific training on harassment, bullying, child abuse, and suicide prevention within 90 days.

Explicitly prohibited adjunct teachers from providing special education instruction.

Changed the validity period of the alternative program teacher certificate to a maximum of three years with no renewal, whereas the introduced version implied a different structure.

Added requirements for posting vacant positions and announcing them at public meetings to ensure transparency.

ENFORCEMENT

Required county boards to report detailed data on adjunct teachers to the State Department of Education, including names, compensation, and experience.

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