HB 4395 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to investigations of allegations of child safety violations for school personnel.

HB 4395 requires school boards to continue investigations into allegations that school personnel harmed student safety or welfare, even if the employee resigns or transfers to another school. It mandates that investigations must be completed regardless of the employee's employment status, and county superintendents must report all such cases - including reasons for suspension - to the state superintendent within seven business days. The state superintendent will maintain a confidential database of all investigated personnel, including the basis for investigations or disciplinary actions. This bill directly affects school personnel, school boards, and county superintendents by ensuring ongoing accountability for potential child safety violations.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Aug 2026
Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Signed Aug 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

hb4395 hfa foggin 2-26 _1 adopted.htm hb4395 sfat grady _1 3-10 adopted.htm · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to expand its scope by requiring not only school principals but also supervisors and administrators to report certain employee misconduct within 24 hours. Additionally, the bill now mandates that the state superintendent report investigated employees to the state superintendent within seven days and requires investigations to continue even if an employee transfers or resigns. The database maintained by the state superintendent will now include individuals investigated for jeopardizing student health, safety, or welfare, and must record the specific reasons for each investigation.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was expanded from solely requiring school principals to report misconduct to also requiring supervisors and administrators to do the same.
REQUIREMENT

Expanded the duty to report misconduct from school principals to include supervisors and administrators.

Added a requirement for the county superintendent to report investigated employees to the state superintendent within seven days.

Added a requirement that investigations continue if the employee transfers or resigns.

Expanded the database to include individuals investigated for jeopardizing student health, safety, welfare, or impacting the learning environment.

Added a requirement for the database to include the specific reason for each investigation.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

330
Passed
Total votes 33
Mar 10, 2026
D Democratic2
2 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
31 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
44
Key actions
11
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Apr 1, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 498)
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title amendment adopted
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 396)
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
To Education
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 220)
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
By substitute, do pass
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
To House Education
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
To House Public Education
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
To House Education
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
To Education
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors