Education

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 879: Eliminating Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs

SB 879 eliminates West Virginia's Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs by repealing its statutory foundation (§5-26-1) and removing its director from state commissions. The bill transfers the office's remaining Minority Affairs Fund balance to the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund, removes the director from the West Virginia Hope Scholarship Board, and substitutes a new appointee. It also directs renaming Building 3 of the State Capitol Complex after Herbert H. Henderson and creating commemorative signs for the building. These changes formally terminate the office's operations while preserving a symbolic tribute to its namesake.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill eliminates Office of Minority Affairs, which supported educational access for minorities, and redirects its funds to a non-education fund, weakening minority education support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 5686: Relating to the timing of payments of annually required deposit into an eligible recipient’s Hope Scholarship account

HB 5686 changes the timing for annual deposits into West Virginia's Hope Scholarship accounts. Starting July 1, 2026, the total annual deposit must be paid in four equal installments: by August 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15 each year. This replaces the previous single annual payment requirement under §18-31-6(d). The bill directly affects Hope Scholarship recipients who receive these annual deposits. The change aims to provide more consistent funding throughout the year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationChanges payment timing to ensure consistent annual funding for Hope Scholarships, supporting stable educational access for recipients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5245: Creating the Governor’s Cup competition

HB 5245 creates the "Governor's Cup Challenge," a yearly athletic competition between Marshall University and West Virginia University in NCAA Division I sports. The winning school earns points based on game outcomes, with the annual champion receiving 65% of scholarship funds generated from 20% of game-related revenue (tickets, merchandise, concessions). These funds support scholarships for West Virginia high school athletes who participated in sports but did not receive athletic scholarships to in-state colleges and are now pursuing degrees at those institutions. The program is administered by the university system's vice chancellor for administration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds K-12 scholarships for athletes via sports revenue, directly supporting educational access for students excluded from athletic scholarships.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5384: To authorize the HEPC to be able to adjust the required composite testing score for ACT and SAT in regard to PROMISE scholarship year to year in order to maximize the number of awards

HB 5384 authorizes West Virginia's Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) to annually adjust the required composite ACT/SAT scores for the PROMISE scholarship program. This change directly affects West Virginia students applying for PROMISE scholarships, which cover tuition costs at state colleges and universities. The bill allows HEPC to modify the minimum test score thresholds each year to maximize the number of eligible students, without altering the $4,750 award cap or other eligibility requirements like GPA or citizenship. The goal is to ensure scholarship funds are distributed to the highest number of qualifying students based on annual testing data.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables HEPC to adjust test score thresholds annually to maximize PROMISE scholarship recipients, directly expanding access to higher education funding without reducing award amounts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5051: To modify the teacher retirement system so that Tier 2 teachers may use annual/sick leave towards retirement

HB 5051 would amend West Virginia's Teachers Retirement System to allow Tier 2 teachers to convert their accrued annual and sick leave into additional retirement service credit. Currently, the system permits some employees to use leave for retirement benefits at a two-days-of-leave-to-one-day-of-service ratio, but Tier 2 teachers were excluded from this provision. This bill would extend that benefit to Tier 2 teachers, enabling them to earn extra retirement credit by using unused leave. The change would directly affect current and future Tier 2 teachers in West Virginia's public school system, increasing their retirement benefits through existing leave balances.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends retirement benefits to Tier 2 teachers, strengthening educator support through enhanced retirement credit for unused leave.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends retirement benefits to Tier 2 teachers by converting leave to service credit, expanding employment-related benefits for public sector workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5623: Youth Mental Health Protection Act

HB 5623, the Youth Mental Health Protection Act, prohibits licensed mental health providers in West Virginia from performing conversion therapy on anyone under 18. The bill specifically bans both direct conversion therapy and referrals to providers offering such services, covering clinical psychologists, social workers, school counselors, and other licensed professionals. Violations would be treated as unprofessional conduct, with first offenses resulting in written warnings and mandatory training, and repeat offenses leading to disciplinary action by licensing boards. This law directly affects minors under 18 and all mental health providers licensed in West Virginia who interact with youth clients.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans conversion therapy by school counselors (directly impacting K-12 education), protecting student well-being in schools per topic description.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans conversion therapy for minors, protecting youth mental health services and patient rights per bill's prohibition of harmful practices by licensed providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 720: WV Comprehensive Student and Family Support Act

SB 720 establishes the West Virginia Comprehensive Student and Family Support Act to create a coordinated system of services for students facing barriers like emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges that risk academic failure, suspension, or out-of-home placement. It directly affects eligible students in West Virginia public schools who are at risk of dropout, exclusion, or placement, prioritizing those transitioning from juvenile justice or foster care. The bill creates a state fund to pool public resources, requires local teams to coordinate education, health, and social services, and mandates outcome tracking (like attendance and behavioral progress) through a State Oversight Office within the West Virginia Department of Education. This system aims to reduce duplication, improve educational outcomes, and ensure accountability via annual reporting and audits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state fund for student support services addressing barriers to academic success, reducing dropout risks for at-risk students in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 490: Approving short-term training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants

This bill establishes a process for determining which short-term workforce training programs in West Virginia qualify for federal Workforce Pell Grants. It directs the West Virginia Workforce Development Board to assess programs against federal criteria, define key terms, and require reporting from institutions offering eligible programs. The bill directly affects short-term training providers (like vocational courses or certifications) seeking federal funding to help workers access career-focused education. It creates a state-level mechanism to align local programs with federal grant requirements without changing the federal Pell Grant program itself. The summary focuses solely on the eligibility process, as described in the bill's provisions (§5B-12-1 through §5B-12-6).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables short-term workforce training programs to access federal Pell Grants, expanding educational access for career-focused training through funding eligibility.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enables federal funding for short-term workforce training programs, directly supporting worker access to career-focused education and employment opportunities through Pell Grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4595: Approving short-term training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants

HB 4595 would allow West Virginia to approve short-term job training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants. The bill requires the governor, working with the Workforce Development Board, to approve programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs (defined as those with earnings above 150% of the federal poverty level or identified in workforce projections). It establishes state rules for program approval and ensures alignment with federal requirements. This change would directly affect short-term training programs and their students seeking federal grant support for career-focused education. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by enabling short-term training programs to qualify for federal Workforce Pell Grants, aligning with higher education funding goals and workforce development needs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentApproves short-term training for high-wage jobs, aligning with federal grants to enhance workforce readiness and employment outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Workers' Compensation Workforce Development

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 468: Relating to payment rates for child care services

Senate Bill 468 requires West Virginia's Bureau for Family Assistance to annually increase base payment rates for childcare providers starting September 2026, adjusting them based on the Consumer Price Index (inflation rate) to keep pace with rising costs. It also mandates a study beginning August 2026 on implementing performance-based contracting - where providers might earn incentives for quality outcomes like improved kindergarten readiness - and report findings to the Legislative Oversight Commission by December 15, 2026. The bill directly affects licensed childcare providers receiving state funding through the federal Child Care & Development Fund. These changes aim to improve affordability, availability, and quality of childcare services as required by federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases childcare payment rates for quality outcomes like kindergarten readiness, advancing early education access and quality through inflation-adjusted funding and performance studies.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires inflation-adjusted annual payment increases for childcare providers, directly supporting wage stability and income for workers in this sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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