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 No ✗ Opposes Education

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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 absent

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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 absent

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

HB 4591: To recognize School Athletic Directors who have achieved a nationally recognized professional certification through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

HB 4591 adds school athletic directors to an existing West Virginia law recognizing certified professionals. It provides a salary bonus and reimbursement for certification expenses to athletic directors who hold a nationally recognized credential from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). This aligns athletic directors with other certified school staff (like nurses and counselors) who already receive similar benefits for meeting national certification standards. The bill aims to encourage certification, support recruitment, and recognize professional development in school athletics. It does not create new funding but extends existing provisions to athletic directors.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides salary bonus/reimbursement for certified athletic directors, aligning with other certified school staff (nurses/counselors) to support educator professional development and retention.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4422: To permit students in eighth and ninth grade to attend summer school in order to raise their grades and establish academic eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities in the fall

HB 4422 permits eighth and ninth-grade students in West Virginia public schools to attend summer school specifically to improve their grades and meet academic eligibility requirements for extracurricular activities (such as sports) in the following fall. The bill amends existing law to explicitly allow this pathway, ensuring students who need grade improvement can participate in summer programs without interference with the regular school year. It does not change summer school program structure or funding but directly affects 8th and 9th graders who risk losing activity eligibility due to academic standing.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPermits 8th/9th graders to use summer school for grade improvement to maintain extracurricular eligibility, expanding academic access for K-12 students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 4081: To create the Higher Education Health and Aid Grant.

HB 4081 creates the Higher Education Health and Aid Grant program for West Virginia public colleges with multiple campuses. The bill requires these institutions to use grant funds to establish campus food and health aid stations, specifically for non-perishable food items and basic hygiene products like toothpaste, sanitary supplies, and first-aid items. Funds cannot cover fresh food, medical care, or prescription items. Institutions must track all purchases and inventory monthly, and submit annual reports to the Higher Education Policy Commission detailing program impact on student food/hygiene insecurity.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program funding campus food/health aid stations for students, directly supporting educational access and basic needs at public colleges.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4574: Relating to providing for condition-based emergency funding for a financially distressed county.

HB 4574 creates a "Temporary Shortfall Supplement Fund" to provide emergency loans (not grants) to West Virginia counties with reserve funds below 5% of available funding. It directly affects county school boards and their financial officers, allowing loans for personnel and essential operating expenses during fiscal shortfalls. Key provisions require counties to repay funds per a set timeline, implement strict financial reporting via WVEIS, adopt the State Auditor’s fiscal system within 45 days, and face penalties for "maladministration" (e.g., failing to maintain reserves or submitting inaccurate financial data), including potential job bans for responsible employees in public education finance roles for two years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility via accountable emergency loans for counties with low reserves, requiring repayment and strict financial reporting to prevent misuse.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides emergency loans to counties to cover school personnel and operations during fiscal shortfalls, preventing defunding of K-12 education programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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