HB 4798 requires all West Virginia schools to implement a wearable panic alert system called "Alyssa's Law" for staff by December 31, 2026. The bill mandates that every school staff member (including teachers) receives a device capable of instantly triggering 9-1-1 calls and campus-wide lockdowns while integrating with local emergency systems. Schools must also provide annual training on device use and share security data (like cameras and maps) with law enforcement. This policy directly affects all school staff across the state and aims to improve emergency response during crises. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet become law.
HB 5212 revises West Virginia's higher education financial aid programs to improve access and align with workforce development goals. It allows part-time enrollment for the higher education grant, combines the adult part-time grant into a new workforce-focused program, and updates medical/health sciences loan repayment programs to require direct payments to federal loan providers. The bill also adjusts eligibility for the PROMISE scholarship and WV Invests grant programs. These changes aim to better connect financial aid with employer needs as outlined in the bill's legislative findings.
HB 5110 lowers the age requirement for tuition waivers at West Virginia colleges from 65 to 60 years old for residents or metro area students. It creates two program options: auditors (no credit) pay up to $50 per course (excluding labs/parking), while credit-seeking students pay 50% of resident tuition. The bill requires colleges to prioritize applicants, confirm classroom space availability, and apply the same fee rules to all students. It directly affects West Virginia seniors aged 60+ seeking non-credit or credit courses at public institutions. The amendment updates existing law to expand access to affordable education for older adults.
HB 5438 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula to direct additional resources toward instructional improvements and technology. It allocates 10% of the local share increase for instructional programs (with $150,000 minimum per county) and 20% for instructional technology (with $30,000 minimum per county), both calculated based on attendance and enrollment data. County school boards may use up to 50% of instructional funds for hiring educators or technology specialists, subject to state superintendent approval, but cannot increase central office staff beyond four positions. The bill also requires funding for the Third Grade Success Act and allows county boards to use allocated funds for Safe Schools Fund projects. This directly affects all West Virginia county school districts and their budgeting for classroom programs and technology resources.
HB 5089 requires West Virginia public schools to accept transcripts from all types of schools (including homeschools, charter schools, private schools, and Hope Scholarship programs) when students enroll or re-enroll. It mandates that public schools record the class, grade, and source (e.g., "homeschool" or "charter school") directly on the student's public school transcript. Schools must also submit annual demographic reports to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability (LOCEA) detailing re-enrolling students' backgrounds and prior educational settings. This bill directly affects students transferring between different school types and public schools receiving those students.
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.
HB 5048 ensures foster children in temporary care facilities continue their education through virtual learning while awaiting residential placement. It requires that virtual instruction occur in the county where the child was last enrolled (or the current county if unavailable, or the nearest capable county), and mandates that virtual learning begins within three days of placement in temporary care. Foster care agencies responsible for the child must receive IT training to support this transition. Once placed with a foster family, all educational records and virtual learning details are transferred to the new county and foster family. The bill directly affects foster children in temporary care and the agencies managing their placement.
HB 4765 increases annual base salaries for West Virginia State Police officers, public school teachers, school service personnel, and forensic laboratory staff, effective July 1, 2026. The bill establishes specific salary schedules for police ranks (e.g., troopers, sergeants, captains), school personnel, and forensic roles (e.g., evidence custodians, forensic scientists), with detailed pay tables showing incremental increases. It directly affects over 10,000 state employees across law enforcement, education, and forensic services. The legislation provides fixed annual salary adjustments based on position and length of service, with no additional provisions beyond these compensation changes.
HB 4005, "Skills to Work," creates a state-funded Youth Apprenticeship Program for West Virginia students aged 16 or older in 11th or 12th grade. It allows these students to earn high school credit and job skills certifications through structured apprenticeships in fields like manufacturing, healthcare, and office technology, requiring 135 classroom hours and 400 on-the-job training hours per program. The bill mandates schools to partner with employers to develop approved apprenticeships, with standards including progressive wages, performance evaluations, and school approval. It also clarifies that apprenticeships cannot include hazardous occupations prohibited for minors under federal and state child labor laws. The program must be fully implemented across all school systems by the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 4028 exempts construction contractors from West Virginia's sales and use taxes on building materials and services used for constructing, repairing, or improving public elementary, secondary, or vocational school facilities. This applies to materials permanently installed in school buildings (like framing, wiring, or plumbing), but excludes tools, equipment, gasoline, or motor vehicle purchases. The bill directly affects contractors working on public school projects by reducing their costs for qualifying materials. It clarifies that this exemption applies to both state-level and municipal sales taxes on eligible school construction work. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026, with no new revenue impact on the state.
