Education

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 155: Relating to adjunct teaching permits

This bill creates a new adjunct teaching permit in West Virginia that allows individuals without full teaching certification to fill vacant teaching positions, offer new programs, or supplement existing ones when certified teachers are unavailable. The permit is valid for one year and requires county school boards to repost the position annually, with renewal contingent on meeting basic performance standards. Key provisions include requiring mentor assignment, completion of specific training, prohibition on special education instruction, and flexible employment terms where compensation and benefits are mutually agreed upon between the school board and teacher.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by creating adjunct teaching permits to fill vacant positions and supplement programs, addressing teacher shortages.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 814: Supplemental appropriation to State Board of Education, fund 0313

This bill (SB 814) allocates $70,357,538 in unappropriated surplus funds from the State General Revenue Fund to the Hope Scholarship Program under the State Board of Education. It directly affects the Hope Scholarship Program by providing supplemental funding for fiscal year 2026. The bill does not change program rules or eligibility - it simply reallocates existing surplus funds to cover program costs. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates surplus funds to fund Hope Scholarship Program, supporting public education without new taxes or policy changes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $70M surplus to Hope Scholarship Program, directly funding educational access without restrictions or policy changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

vetoed · West Virginia · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 558: Relating to school bus safety violations by vehicle operators

West Virginia's SB 558 strengthens penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus with activated stop arms and red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It creates new aggravated offenses: causing serious injury becomes a felony with 1-3 years in jail and $2,000-$5,000 fines, while causing death becomes a felony with 1-10 years in jail and $5,000-$10,000 fines. Repeat violations now trigger mandatory jail time (48 hours for third offenses), longer license suspensions (up to one year), and require completion of a driver safety course. The bill also allows civil stop-arm camera enforcement, holds vehicle owners liable for violations, and dedicates collected fines to school bus safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens penalties for unsafe school bus driving, directly protecting K-12 students during transportation, aligning with education safety protections.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthens school bus safety penalties, enhancing road safety for children through stricter vehicle regulation enforcement, directly supporting transportation safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 5412: Future Ready Education Act

The Future Ready Education Act allows West Virginia school districts to enter multi-year contracts for educational technology with a technology licensing component, provided they document fiscal savings and include a 30-day cancellation clause. It extends the Mountain State Digital Project to cover grades 9-12 and adds tutoring in reading, math, science, and career-technical education. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers must complete training in the science of reading, with public charter school educators permitted to voluntarily participate. The bill directly affects school districts, K-5 teachers, and students in public schools across West Virginia.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires fiscal savings documentation for tech contracts, promoting responsible budget management within education funding allocation85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends digital project to grades 9-12, adds subject tutoring, mandates teacher training - directly enhances educational access, student programs, and educator support.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables school tech contracts, extends digital project to grades 9-12, and mandates tech-related teacher training, advancing educational technology access and integration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 5453: To modify the school aid funding formula.

HB 5453 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula, shifting to a block grant of $6,100 per student for county school districts starting in 2029-2030 (with a minimum 1,200-student threshold per county), while public charter schools receive $8,600 per student. It creates a "Supplemental School Aid Fund" to provide additional per-pupil funding for Tier II ($3,050) and Tier III special needs students beginning in 2029-2030. School districts may also request supplemental funding for specific needs like transportation, vocational centers, or pilot programs through this fund. The bill requires annual oversight reports by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability and defines "maladministration" as financial mismanagement that could trigger funding restrictions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies funding formula to increase per-student allocation ($6,100-$8,600) and adds supplemental fund for special needs students ($3,050), advancing school funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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failed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 4588: Relating to participating in the federal tax credit scholarship program

HB 4588 requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to receive tax credits for contributions to scholarship organizations. The bill mandates the Treasurer to annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations and eligible schools meeting federal and state requirements. Eligible schools must comply with West Virginia education laws, and students must be eligible for public school enrollment under federal criteria. Scholarship funds can cover elementary and secondary education expenses as defined by federal law, with the Treasurer accepting applications year-round for organization inclusion.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables tax-credit scholarships for K-12 students, expanding educational access options while requiring compliance with state education laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Education

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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 Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 5463: Relating to Decreasing Board of Education Limits

HB 5463 amends West Virginia law to increase liability insurance requirements for county school boards and their personnel. It mandates minimum $1 million liability coverage from the State Board of Risk and Insurance Management for teachers, administrators, superintendents, and school board members, plus $5 million in additional excess coverage that counties must purchase. The bill requires comprehensive coverage including malpractice, corporal punishment, and legal liability, along with annual written notice to all covered staff about their insurance details. This affects all public school employees and officials in county districts and participating public charter schools. The bill passed the House on March 3, 2026, and is now before the Senate Banking and Insurance committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates increased liability insurance for school personnel, protecting educators and schools from legal risks per bill's coverage requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 5321: To guarantee timely educational evaluations and continuity of services for children entering foster care.

HB 5321 requires that children entering foster care or transition homes in West Virginia receive educational evaluations for special education services (like IEPs or 504 plans) within 30 days, instead of the previous standard timeline. This directly affects children in foster care who need special education support, ensuring they don’t face delays in accessing critical services when their living situation changes. The bill creates a new legal requirement (§18-20-13) to guarantee these evaluations are completed promptly. It does not alter existing service delivery but mandates a specific 30-day deadline for initial assessments. The bill passed the House in March 2026 and is now before the Senate Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 30-day educational evaluations for foster care children, ensuring timely special education services continuity. Directly advances educational access and support for vulnerable K-12 students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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