Education

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 155: Relating to adjunct teaching permits

This bill creates a new adjunct teaching permit in West Virginia that allows individuals without full teaching certification to fill vacant teaching positions, offer new programs, or supplement existing ones when certified teachers are unavailable. The permit is valid for one year and requires county school boards to repost the position annually, with renewal contingent on meeting basic performance standards. Key provisions include requiring mentor assignment, completion of specific training, prohibition on special education instruction, and flexible employment terms where compensation and benefits are mutually agreed upon between the school board and teacher.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by creating adjunct teaching permits to fill vacant positions and supplement programs, addressing teacher shortages.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

vetoed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

HB 4002: Establishing the West Virginia Collaboratory

HB 4002 establishes the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University to connect state university research with practical needs of government and citizens. It directs the Collaboratory to focus on workforce development, education, economic growth, and environmental research, requiring state and local agencies to provide free access to infrastructure, personnel, and data for its projects. The bill sets specific funding rules, prohibiting university overhead fees on allocated funds and ensuring funds remain available until spent. An advisory group of legislators, university leaders, and public experts will guide research priorities and review reports, all while exempting advisory meetings from public record requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes higher education collaborative at Marshall University with dedicated funding, prohibits overhead fees, and explicitly prioritizes education as a core focus area for research and workforce development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

vetoed · West Virginia · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 558: Relating to school bus safety violations by vehicle operators

West Virginia's SB 558 strengthens penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus with activated stop arms and red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It creates new aggravated offenses: causing serious injury becomes a felony with 1-3 years in jail and $2,000-$5,000 fines, while causing death becomes a felony with 1-10 years in jail and $5,000-$10,000 fines. Repeat violations now trigger mandatory jail time (48 hours for third offenses), longer license suspensions (up to one year), and require completion of a driver safety course. The bill also allows civil stop-arm camera enforcement, holds vehicle owners liable for violations, and dedicates collected fines to school bus safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens penalties for unsafe school bus driving, directly protecting K-12 students during transportation, aligning with education safety protections.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthens school bus safety penalties, enhancing road safety for children through stricter vehicle regulation enforcement, directly supporting transportation safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 5453: To modify the school aid funding formula.

HB 5453 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula, shifting to a block grant of $6,100 per student for county school districts starting in 2029-2030 (with a minimum 1,200-student threshold per county), while public charter schools receive $8,600 per student. It creates a "Supplemental School Aid Fund" to provide additional per-pupil funding for Tier II ($3,050) and Tier III special needs students beginning in 2029-2030. School districts may also request supplemental funding for specific needs like transportation, vocational centers, or pilot programs through this fund. The bill requires annual oversight reports by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability and defines "maladministration" as financial mismanagement that could trigger funding restrictions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies funding formula to increase per-student allocation ($6,100-$8,600) and adds supplemental fund for special needs students ($3,050), advancing school funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

failed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 4588: Relating to participating in the federal tax credit scholarship program

HB 4588 requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to receive tax credits for contributions to scholarship organizations. The bill mandates the Treasurer to annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations and eligible schools meeting federal and state requirements. Eligible schools must comply with West Virginia education laws, and students must be eligible for public school enrollment under federal criteria. Scholarship funds can cover elementary and secondary education expenses as defined by federal law, with the Treasurer accepting applications year-round for organization inclusion.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables tax-credit scholarships for K-12 students, expanding educational access options while requiring compliance with state education laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

failed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 4573: Foster Youth Post-Secondary Transition Awareness Act

HB 4573 requires West Virginia high schools to provide foster youth (current or former foster care) with information about post-secondary education, job training, housing, healthcare, and independent-living support before graduation. The bill mandates school counselors and graduation coaches receive training on these resources and directs the state Department of Education to create and maintain a Foster Youth Resource Guide. County school districts must ensure eligible students receive this pre-graduation information. The law aims to improve transition planning for foster youth entering adulthood, without requiring disclosure of a student’s foster care status.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates schools to provide foster youth with post-secondary education resources, enhancing access and support for vulnerable students in K-12 transition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 4656: Relating to chronic absenteeism

HB 4656 modifies West Virginia's school attendance laws by ending the compulsory attendance requirement at age 18 (previously 17), meaning 18-year-olds no longer face penalties for chronic absenteeism. It replaces "truancy" with "chronic absenteeism," removes criminal penalties for 18-year-olds, and requires schools to notify them directly about unexcused absences - same as parents. The bill establishes new referral pathways to human services for wrap-around support, shifts handling of chronic absenteeism to juvenile welfare (not criminal) proceedings, and defines key terms like "student support specialist." It directly affects students aged 17-18, school staff, and county human services departments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for 18-year-olds' chronic absenteeism, reducing criminalization of school attendance - a criminal justice reform measure aligning with reducing recidivism and over-punishment.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill replaces punitive truancy measures with support services for chronic absenteeism, aligning with student well-being and access in K-12 education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 5511: To allow money to be paid to county board of education employees’ estates for accrued and unused leave if they pass away before retirement

HB 5511 allows county school board employees' estates to receive a lump sum payment for unused accrued personal leave if the employee dies before retirement. The payment, capped at $6,000, is based on the employee's final pay rate and must be paid to the estate's personal representative within one month of request. It excludes deductions for retirement contributions and does not count toward final salary calculations. The bill directly affects county school employees who die while still employed and their beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides lump sum payment for unused leave to school employees' estates, supporting teacher benefits and family financial security within K-12 education personnel policies.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides estate payout for unused leave, extending worker benefit protection to families upon death, aligning with protecting workers' rights through employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 5683: Relating to graduation requirements for public schools

HB 5683 requires West Virginia's State Board of Education to establish minimum graduation standards for public high schools. These standards may include specific course credits, competency demonstrations, or assessments to ensure students are prepared for college or careers. The bill also mandates that every graduate receive a certificate of proficiency detailing their skills, readiness for employment, and any completed academic major. This bill directly affects all public high school students in West Virginia and aims to standardize graduation requirements across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standardized graduation requirements and proficiency certificates to ensure college/career readiness, strengthening educational outcomes and transparency for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 5321: To guarantee timely educational evaluations and continuity of services for children entering foster care.

HB 5321 requires that children entering foster care or transition homes in West Virginia receive educational evaluations for special education services (like IEPs or 504 plans) within 30 days, instead of the previous standard timeline. This directly affects children in foster care who need special education support, ensuring they don’t face delays in accessing critical services when their living situation changes. The bill creates a new legal requirement (§18-20-13) to guarantee these evaluations are completed promptly. It does not alter existing service delivery but mandates a specific 30-day deadline for initial assessments. The bill passed the House in March 2026 and is now before the Senate Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 30-day educational evaluations for foster care children, ensuring timely special education services continuity. Directly advances educational access and support for vulnerable K-12 students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track