HB 4936 removes the 140-day annual limit on retired teachers working as substitutes without penalty to their retirement benefits. It amends West Virginia law to require that the retirement board’s rule cannot set a cap below 140 days, but explicitly allows retired teachers to work beyond 140 days when teaching vacancies exist and there is a demonstrated need for teachers. The bill also clarifies that days worked are calculated by dividing total hours by the standard full-time daily teaching hours, not by calendar days. This directly affects retired teachers seeking substitute roles and county school boards responsible for tracking their work days under the retirement system.
HB 4593 modifies West Virginia's public school physical education requirements by allowing students to opt out of mandatory PE classes if they can demonstrate five or more hours per week of outside physical activity through written evidence. The bill applies to middle and high school students, replacing required PE periods with supervised study hall for qualifying students. It maintains core PE time requirements (30+ minutes three days/week for elementary, full course credit for graduation in high school) but adds this exemption pathway. The policy directly affects students in West Virginia public schools who participate in organized sports or physical activities outside of school.
HB 4448 removes exemptions that currently protect bona fide schools, public libraries, and museums from criminal charges when distributing or displaying obscene material to minors. The bill amends West Virginia law to eliminate these specific protections, meaning these institutions would no longer be shielded from prosecution under the existing obscenity statute (§61-8A-3). Previously, schools were exempt when showing material as part of approved curriculum, and libraries/museums were exempt if minors were accompanied by parents. This change directly affects how these public institutions handle materials accessible to minors. The bill does not alter other existing exemptions, such as those for medical professionals or internet service providers.
HB 4646, the Remote Schools Support Act, provides targeted financial support to "extremely remote schools" in West Virginia to help maintain operations. It requires state funding for building operations, extreme weather preparedness, and professional development for staff at these schools, while prohibiting county boards from closing them. The bill defines "extremely remote schools" and mandates reporting to the Local Office of County Education Accountability (LOCEA). It also establishes a waiver process for schools meeting specific criteria, ensuring these isolated schools receive additional state aid to address unique challenges.
This bill adjusts state funding for West Virginia school districts when counties cannot collect full property taxes due to court orders, valuation errors, or pending legal cases. It requires the state to increase aid by the amount of lost property tax revenue (e.g., from tax refunds, incorrect valuations, or court delays), but only if the legislature funds the state share adequately. The adjustment also applies to counties receiving payments in lieu of property taxes. This ensures school funding remains stable despite fluctuations in local tax collections.
SB 633 modernizes West Virginia's Commission on Holocaust Education by updating its membership structure and governance. The bill replaces outdated provisions relying on Holocaust survivors (many now deceased) with a new framework allowing commission-appointed voting members and non-voting student advisory members, while explicitly requiring Holocaust education to remain the commission's sole purpose. It strengthens safeguards to protect historical accuracy and ensures the commission continues providing centralized educational resources for schools, churches, and communities studying the Holocaust. These changes aim to maintain the commission's mission as a permanent statewide resource for Holocaust education amid evolving circumstances.
HB 4467 amends West Virginia law to allow pregnant employees and new mothers working in public school systems to use their existing sick leave bank for maternity leave. It specifically prohibits county school boards from banning this use of sick leave for maternity purposes. The bill clarifies that school employees may contribute up to two days of personal leave annually to the sick leave bank, but cannot be forced to contribute. This policy change directly affects all full-time public school employees in West Virginia who are pregnant or have newborn children.
HB 4987 requires all West Virginia public schools serving students in grades K-12 to provide annual evidence-based social inclusion training (at least one hour per year), and schools serving grades 6-12 must also provide annual youth violence prevention training (at least one hour per year). The West Virginia Department of Education must develop and maintain publicly available lists of proven effective programs for both trainings, including no-cost options, with updates every 36 months. Schools may optionally form student-led violence prevention clubs focused on awareness and leadership, though public charter and nonpublic schools can opt out of the training requirements. The bill encourages seeking state or federal funding to cover implementation costs but does not mandate new state spending.
SB 585 increases annual salaries for specific state employees in West Virginia, including West Virginia State Police members (across all ranks), forensic laboratory personnel, public school teachers, and school service staff. The bill establishes new salary schedules effective July 1, 2026, with detailed pay rates for each position category (e.g., troopers, sergeants, forensic scientists). It also maintains existing length-of-service pay increases for State Police members, which began in 2015. The legislation directly affects these state workforce groups by raising their base pay through specified salary schedules.
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.
