Education

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 9, 2026

HB 5511: To allow money to be paid to county board of education employees’ estates for accrued and unused leave if they pass away before retirement

HB 5511 allows county school board employees' estates to receive a lump sum payment for unused accrued personal leave if the employee dies before retirement. The payment, capped at $6,000, is based on the employee's final pay rate and must be paid to the estate's personal representative within one month of request. It excludes deductions for retirement contributions and does not count toward final salary calculations. The bill directly affects county school employees who die while still employed and their beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides lump sum payment for unused leave to school employees' estates, supporting teacher benefits and family financial security within K-12 education personnel policies.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides estate payout for unused leave, extending worker benefit protection to families upon death, aligning with protecting workers' rights through employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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

HB 5683: Relating to graduation requirements for public schools

HB 5683 requires West Virginia's State Board of Education to establish minimum graduation standards for public high schools. These standards may include specific course credits, competency demonstrations, or assessments to ensure students are prepared for college or careers. The bill also mandates that every graduate receive a certificate of proficiency detailing their skills, readiness for employment, and any completed academic major. This bill directly affects all public high school students in West Virginia and aims to standardize graduation requirements across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standardized graduation requirements and proficiency certificates to ensure college/career readiness, strengthening educational outcomes and transparency for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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

HB 5106: Relating to the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District

HB 5106 allows the Cabell County Board of Education to provide funds from its special and excess levies to the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District. This would give the park district an additional funding source for maintaining parks and recreational facilities, using money currently collected for educational purposes. The park district must submit a written request for these funds, and the school board would then decide whether to transfer them. The bill does not require the school board to provide funds, only authorizes the option.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill redirects funds collected for educational purposes (special/excess levies) to park district, defunding schools by transferring resources away from education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes 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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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 No ✗ Opposes Education

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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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