The Senate Education Committee met on Thursday and advanced five bills on student athlete safety, rural counties, remote schools, homebound services, and school preparation days.
Senate Bill 657 would establish the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act.
This bill would require the West Virginia Board of Education to promulgate a legislative rule in conjunction with the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy, which would govern concussion protocol, education on the prevention of concussions, and the development of the Concussion Education, Prevention, and Response Plan.
This bill is intended to address the various risks of injuries, including concussions, heat-related illnesses, and cardiac events that could take place with student athletes, and ensure the safety and well-being of students playing sports.
“I spent 41 years refereeing football in West Virginia, and I saw quarterbacks so concussed that they could hardly stand. At the time, there was nothing I could do, but now, I can,” Senator Charles H. Clements (R – Wetzel 02), stated.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first being sent to the committee on Finance.
Senate Bill 437 would establish the Fair State Aid Formula Act of 2026.
The bill provides funding for rural and isolated counties with higher educational costs.
This bill is intended to promote fairness, transparency, and adequacy in education funding.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first being sent to the committee on Finance.
Senate Bill 758 would provide extra state aid to school districts for students enrolled in “extremely remote schools”.
The bill defines “extremely remote schools” as a school that is located twenty miles or more from an existing public, charter, or private school, serves a minimum of twenty students, and has a roadway that is less than two travel lanes that are unimproved or unsuitable for a regular school bus.
No action was taken on the bill.
Senate Bill 778 would allow nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians eligibility for homebound services to ensure students receive timely educational support.
The Local Educational Agency would establish and maintain special educational programs and services outside of the school environment, such as nurse practitioners for students who are homebound due to injury or any other reason.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
Senate Bill 802 would prohibit teachers from being required to use school preparation days for any purpose other than preparing for the opening or closing of school.
Teachers would be granted two “Leave Teachers Alone” days to determine which activities will improve their instruction, and the days would occur before the beginning of the instructional term.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
