SB 1061 allows West Virginia school superintendents to reassign surplus school personnel (such as teachers and support staff) without standard notice and hearing requirements when unexpected enrollment changes require it. The reassignment must occur before the last day of the second school month and applies only when enrollment shifts - unforeseen by May 1 - allow fewer teachers than planned under existing student-teacher ratios. The bill mandates that the least senior personnel be reassigned in such cases, prioritizing experience for remaining staff. This change streamlines adjustments to staffing needs during the school year without requiring full transfer procedures.
SB 486 adds a definition for "master aesthetician" to West Virginia's licensing rules for the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. The bill amends §30-27-3 to clarify that a "master aesthetician" is a licensed professional who practices aesthetics beyond the standard "aesthetician" level (which requires 600 training hours). This definition directly affects individuals seeking advanced licensure in aesthetic services, such as skin treatments and cosmetic procedures. The change provides clarity for licensing applicants and the board without altering existing training requirements or service scope.
This bill requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit scholarship program. Specifically, the Treasurer must annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations operating in the state by December 1st, accept applications year-round for inclusion on this list, and certify the list for federal submission. It defines eligible schools (meeting existing WV requirements) and students (eligible for public school enrollment), allowing scholarship funds to cover standard K-12 education expenses under federal rules. The bill directly affects the State Treasurer's office, scholarship organizations seeking to participate, and students receiving scholarships under the program.
SB 689 modifies West Virginia's athletic eligibility rules for transfer students by limiting the grade levels where students can switch schools without losing eligibility. The bill requires the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to update its rules so students in grades 9 and 10 (instead of grades 9-12) may transfer once and retain athletic eligibility. This change directly affects high school students who move schools, particularly those in ninth and tenth grade. The policy shifts the eligibility window to the first two years of high school, as specified in the bill's amendment to §18-2-25e. The Commission must implement this change by the 2026-2027 school year.
This bill creates a new West Virginia Task Force on Election Integrity within the Secretary of State's office to study and recommend improvements for election security and management. The task force will include members from the State Election Commission, state legislators, cybersecurity experts, citizens, and county clerks, with a designated chair appointed by the Governor. Its main duties involve researching secure voting technologies, reviewing federal security reports, assessing equipment for foreign ownership risks, and evaluating current laws against threats like cyberattacks and ballot manipulation. The group will also examine whether existing election standards adequately prevent vote tampering and determine if its work overlaps with the State Election Commission.
HB 5648 updates West Virginia's electrical power regulations to prioritize consumer interests and modernize utility oversight. It requires utilities to notify customers before rate increases and hold public hearings for significant rate changes affecting large customer groups. The bill exempts small portable solar devices from connection agreements, allows customers to generate and store power through distributed programs, and mandates utilities to track customers dependent on life support systems. Additionally, it sets new rules for disconnecting service due to non-payment and requires utilities to develop community energy programs under a subscriber model.
SB 802 requires West Virginia public schools to schedule two "Leave Teachers Alone" days before the school year begins, which teachers can use for activities that improve instruction. The bill prohibits county boards from requiring teachers to use school preparation days (for opening and closing) for any purpose other than those specific tasks. These changes directly affect public school teachers and county boards of education across West Virginia. The bill amends the state's school calendar law to give teachers more autonomy over professional development time without administrative mandates.
This bill adds "educational leave days" to West Virginia's list of excused absences, allowing up to five days per school year for approved educational activities (like field trips or workshops). Parents must submit a note within three days explaining the purpose, and schools can reject days that don't meet state-defined criteria. It directly affects students, parents, and school staff managing attendance records. The bill also clarifies that 4-H, FFA, and similar activities already count toward the existing 10-day limit for school-approved activities, so they aren't subject to the new educational leave cap.
SB 978 allows West Virginia municipalities currently using the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System (EMSR) for police and firefighters to join the Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters Retirement System (MPFRS). It specifically enables municipalities to include only police and firefighters hired on or after July 1, 2015, in the MPFRS, while those hired before that date remain in the EMSR. Municipalities must elect to join by July 1, 2027, and must notify eligible employees within 30 days, giving them 90 days to choose to switch to the MPFRS. The bill requires the Consolidated Public Retirement Board to transfer assets and service credit from the EMSR to the MPFRS for employees who switch.
SB 972, or "Raylee's Law," temporarily restricts custodial parents or guardians from arranging home instruction for their child during an active West Virginia Department of Human Services (DHS) child abuse or neglect investigation where they are the alleged perpetrator. The law prohibits withdrawing a child from school for home instruction or resuming home instruction as the primary provider during the investigation. This restriction ends when DHS closes the case without substantiation or a court orders otherwise. The bill explicitly states it does not create a presumption of guilt, permanently ban home education, or limit court authority to order alternative educational placements for the child’s safety.
SB 979 requires West Virginia's Division of Highways to publish all road and bridge project bids exclusively on its website, removing the current requirement to advertise them in daily newspapers. This change directly affects the Division of Highways (which manages state road projects) and contractors bidding on construction or materials contracts for state roads. The bill modifies existing law to mandate website publication as the sole method for sharing bid details, while maintaining the 14-day advance notice period and $3,000 threshold for simplified bidding. This policy shift aims to modernize transparency by moving bid announcements from print media to a centralized digital platform.
SB 714 updates West Virginia's veterinary medicine regulations by clarifying licensing requirements and scope of practice for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and certified animal euthanasia technicians. The bill strictly prohibits using titles like "veterinarian" or "veterinary technician" without proper licensure or registration, and requires clear display of valid credentials. Key provisions include new telehealth guidelines, temporary permits for professionals, updated penalties for violations, and definitions to prevent misleading self-identification. It directly affects all veterinary service providers operating in the state and enhances enforcement authority for the Board of Veterinary Medicine.
