Blog – Page 17

Senate School Choice Advances Academics in Rural Schools Act Bill

Senate Committee

Jaidyn Carter

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February 4, 2026

Senate School Choice Advances Academics in Rural Schools Act Bill

The Senate School Choice Committee met on Wednesday afternoon and advanced two bills regarding requirements for private, parochial, or church schools and the Academics in Rural Schools Act.

Senate Bill 683 would remove certain requirements from kindergarten, preschool, or school education programs operated by a church, parochial, or private school.

This bill would require church-run kindergartens and preschools to be exempt from childcare licensing, certification, approval, and registration requirements; recognized by the state education department under policy 2330.

Some of the following requirements schools would NOT be exempt from include:

* Fire and building safety codes
* Health department rules
* Background checks
* General child safety laws

Senate Bill 63 would create opportunities for the Academics in Rural Schools Act.

This bill would create an application for establishing a new public charter school, convert a public school into a public charter school, or establish a program conversion public charter school.

Each application shall contain the following to be considered:

* A mission statement, including a specialized academic focus.
* Detailed description of the public charter school’s proposed program.
* Student achievement goals for the program.
* Data using plan from student evaluations and assessments.
* Chosen methods of evaluating whether students are attaining the skills and knowledge for specific goals.

The bill is intended to support rural communities by providing access to local schools and preventing unnecessary consolidation while offering financial support to in-person charter schools serving geographically remote areas.

Both bills were reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first being reported to the committee on Finance.

House Education Lays Over A Bill and Hears Two Bills

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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February 4, 2026

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House Education Lays Over A Bill and Hears Two Bills

The Education Committee met this afternoon.

Markup & Passage

House Bill 4440 permits law enforcement to issue citations to students in public schools and public charter schools caught with nicotine at school or during school events.

The bill was laid over for a couple of days due to questions and amendments needing to be worked out.

Committee Hearing

House Bill 4446 creates a pilot program in four counties that will provide Fire Fighter I and II to eligible high school and college students.

House Bill 4573 requires foster youth to receive a guide to available resources and counseling on education, job training, housing, healthcare, and independent living support before graduating from high school.

Senate Passes 3 Bills Wednesday Morning

Senate Floor Session

Jaidyn Carter

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February 4, 2026

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The Senate convened on Wednesday morning and passed three bills related to adjunct teachers, certified public accountants, and the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability. The Senate also introduced bills 734-745 and adopted resolutions 26 and 27.

Senate Bill 155 would adjust the requirements for adjunct teaching.

The bill would allow adjunct teachers to fill vacant teaching positions, offer a program or class, or supplement a program or class currently being offered if no other certified teachers are available to do so.

For an adjunct teacher to fill a position or offer a new program or class, the following is required:

* At least four years of experience in the desired area, either through employment experience or a college degree.
* Submits a background check
* Has not been convicted of a felony or plead guilty or plead no contest to a felony charge or convicted or plead no contest to charges involving sexual misconduct with a minor or a student.

Senate Bill 532 would modify the qualification requirements for certified public accountants.

The bill would require the West Virginia Board of Accountancy to propose rules for legislative approval.

The board would be required to consider the qualifications of an individual without regard to the sequence in which experience, education, or examination requirements were attained.

Senate Bill 210 would modify the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability.

This bill would require various departments to prepare an annual performance plan that covers each program and activity, including the department’s goals, budgets, and operational processes, and report it to the Legislature.

Departments are defined in the bill as the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health Facilities, the Office of the Inspector General, and all their bureaus, offices, and programs. All definitions in the bill can be found in code §16-29E-3.

All bills passed the full Senate and were sent to the House of Delegates for further consideration.

Afternoon Meetings:

School Choice at 1 p.m. in Room 208W

Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health at 1:30 p.m. in Room 218W

Banking and Insurance at 2 p.m. in Room 451M

Agriculture at 2 p.m. in Room 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in Room 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in Room 208W

Morning Meetings for Feb. 5:

Education 9:30 a.m. in Room 451M

Government Organizations at 9:30 a.m. in Room 208W

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 5, at 11:15 a.m.

House Advances Recharge WV Act

House Floor Session

Soleil Woolard

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February 4, 2026

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The West Virginia House of Delegates advanced House Bills 4004, 4456, and 4484 to the Senate.

House Bill 4004 would establish the Recharge West Virginia Act. This act would support companies in West Virginia to be able to invest in their employees’ upskilling training. This bill would reimburse companies for upskilling their employees and also provide wage increases to said employees.

House Bill 4456 would grant privileges to local and state law enforcement, allowing other agencies from West Virginia or an adjoining state to temporarily provide assistance with investigations or criminal activity

House Bill 4484 would allow county commissions to have the same flexibility to sell or lease property as municipalities, such as using competitive bidding or a public auction. This bill was reported to the full House.

Bills introduced can be found here.
Resolutions introduced can be found here.

Committee Meetings, Today February 4

Sub. Com on Legal Services will meet following the floor session in Room 410M
Education at 1 p.m. in Room 432M
Sub. Com on Public Health at 3 p.m. in Room 215E
Energy and Public Works at 3 p.m. in Room 410M
Sub. Com on Revenue at 5 p.m. in Room 460M

Committee Meetings, Thursday February 5

Sub. Com on Appropriations at 12 p.m. in Room 460M
Finance at 9 a.m. in Room 460M
Judiciary at 9 a.m. in Room 410M
Sub. Com on Legal Services at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410M
Sub. Com on Homeland Security at 10 a.m. in Room 410M
Sub. Com on Courts at 10:15 a.m. in Room 410M
Government Organization at 1 p.m. in Room 215E
Sub. Com on Government Administration at 2 p.m. in Room 215E
Sub. Com on Public Education at 1 p.m. in Room 432M
Sub. Com on Educational Choice at 1:40 p.m. in Room 432M
Sub. Com on Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology at 3 p.m. in Room 410M
Health and Human Resources at 3:30 in Room 215E

The House is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Senate HHR Advances Bill Banning Abortion Pills

Senate Committee

Jaidyn Carter

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February 4, 2026

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Senate HHR Advances Bill Banning Abortion Pills

Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources met Tuesday afternoon and advanced a bill regarding banning abortion pills.

Senate Bill 173 would prohibit the trafficking and dispensing of chemical abortion pills into West Virginia.

The legislation would amend the West Virginia Unborn Child Protection Act by adding provisions that specifically target “abortifacients”—chemical or drug agents used to terminate pregnancy. The bill defines an abortifacient as “any chemical or drug prescribed or dispensed with the intent of causing an abortion.”

According to the bill’s language, a person or entity would be guilty of performing or attempting to perform an abortion with an abortifacient if they knowingly and willfully:

Send an abortifacient to a person in West Virginia by courier, delivery, or mail service
Place an abortifacient into the stream of commerce knowing it will be used in or sent to West Virginia
Prescribe an abortifacient to a person in West Virginia, regardless of whether the prescriber is located in the state
Disseminate an abortifacient in West Virginia without a lawfully valid prescriptio

The bill establishes different penalties based on who commits the offense:

For non-medical professionals: A felony conviction with imprisonment in a state correctional facility for 3-10 years.

For licensed medical professionals: Subject to disciplinary action by the applicable licensing board. If found to have knowingly and willfully violated the law, the medical professional’s license shall be revoked.

The legislation specifically states that “a woman who unlawfully receives an abortifacient” cannot be charged with or convicted of a criminal offense related to her own unborn child.

The bill would also create a civil cause of action, allowing a pregnant woman or her family members to sue anyone who knowingly and willfully violates the prohibition. If a claimant prevails, they may receive:

Injunctive relief preventing future violations
Damages of $10,000 for each abortion that was knowingly and willfully performed or attempted

Notably, an indictment or conviction is not required to establish liability in a civil action.

The bill provides limited exceptions:

Pharmacies fulfilling lawfully valid prescriptions issued by licensed medical professionals in West Virginia
Physicians providing medical procedures or services for legitimate medical reasons to a pregnant woman that result in accidental or unintentional physical injury to or death of the unborn child

Originally, the bill required that within one year of initial licensure, all licensed medical professionals complete two hours of continuing medical education regarding “the dangers of the abortion pill and the efficacy of the abortion pill reversal.” Senator Tom Takubo (R-Kanawha, 17) successfully amended the bill to change the continuing education piece to an attestation and a signed affidavit stating the medical professional knows that the anti-abortion law is codified in West Virginia.

The legislation now advances to the Senate Judiciary committee for further consideration.

House HHR Advances Bill to Re-Establish Office of Health Lifestyles

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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February 4, 2026

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House HHR Advances Bill to Re-Establish Office of Health Lifestyles

The Health and Human Resources Committee met this afternoon.

Markup & Passage

House Bill 4982 re-establishes the Office of Healthy Lifestyles and expands a coordinated, statewide Healthy Lifestyles framework to promote nutrition, physical activity, and wellness through cross-agency collaboration, school-based initiatives, public-private partnerships, grants, and reporting requirements, thereby improving the health of West Virginians. The bill creates a Highly Lifestyles Fund, coordinates with Medicaid, the Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture. The bill prevents school employees from penalizing students’ participation in recess and PE based on academic performance or behavior. The bill also requires the development of the Governor’s Fitness Test, a school fitness month, and the reporting of outcomes of both.

Committee Hearing

House Bill 4852 adds definitions to the West Virginia Code relating to food regulation.

House Bill 4392 bans FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, and FD&C Yellow No. 6 from medications.

House Bill 5022 expands the programs included in the annual capitation rate review to include the Aged and Disabled Waiver Program, the Personal Care Services Program, and the Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program.

House EIT Advances Three Bills

House Committee

Soleil Woolard

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February 3, 2026

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The House Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology subcommittee advanced House Bills 4040, 4419, and 4426 to the committee on Energy and Public Works.

House Bill 4040 would establish the Non-State-Owned Roads Improvement Act. This bill would give municipalities the authority to make improvements to roads that are not owned by the state. This bill was advanced to Energy and Public Works.

House Bill 4419 would require certain procedures comply with the West Virginia Parkways Authority before tolls, rents, fees, or charges may be increased for Parkways. This bill was reported to Energy and Public Works.

House Bill 4426 would ensure that funding to counties named by the State Road Construction Account does not affect any funding received by those counties from the State Road Fund. This bill was reported to Energy and Public Works

House Public Edu. and Edu. Choice Discuss Several Bills

House Committee

Soleil Woolard

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February 3, 2026

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House Public Edu. and Edu. Choice Discuss Several Bills

The House Public Education and Educational Choice Committees discussed several bills this afternoon.

Public Education

House Bill 4871 would make vegetarian meal option available for students that complies with federal nutritional guidelines.

House Bill 4467 would permit pregnant women and new mothers who are employed by the public school system to utilize the sick leave bank.

House Bill 4485 would allow educators in the public school system or in the higher education system to donate leave to employees for maternity leave.

Educational Choice

House Bill 4817 would modify the Charter Schools Startup Fund. Some of these modifications include an application submission to be sent to the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board, expanding the uses for the funds, and requiring the distribution of money to qualifying charter school applicants and charter schools.

House Bill 4062 would create the West Virginia Homeschool Student Athletics Participation Act. This act would create an opportunity for homeschool students to play in WVSSAC athletics.

House Bill 4950 would establish the West Virginia Freedom and Innovation Pilot Act of 2026. This act would let school districts opt out of the school aid formula, following School Board approval. Any county that chooses to participate in the pilot program shall be funded by a grant of $5,775 per enrolled student as of December 2025.

Government Administration Focuses on Vehicle Related Bills in Committee Hearings

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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February 3, 2026

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Government Administration Focuses on Vehicle Related Bills in Committee Hearings

The Subcommittee on Government Administration met this afternoon.

Markup & Passage

House Bill 4483 updates funeral director licensing. The bill also reduces the time required for apprenticeship towards licensure.

House Bill 4492 increases the maximum broker deposit amount to $500.

House Bill 4550 requires the State of West Virginia, or any agency or political subdivision, to provide appraisals for landowners when involved in eminent domain negotiations.

House Bill 4580 establishes a two-county pilot program requiring the use of mobile devices to access the CPS case management system during child abuse and neglect investigations. The Department of Human Services would be required to report annually to LOCHHRA about the programs.

Committee Hearing

House Bill 4531 requires the Division of Motor Vehicles to provide certain identification documents to homeless U.S. citizens residing in homeless shelters within this state at no cost.

House Bill 4612 would allow for a new vehicle title to be provided for an older vehicle left to individuals inheriting property.

House Bill 4518 would streamline the process of updating a driver’s information when getting a new vehicle and using EZ-Pass.

House Bill 4558 would allow tow truck companies to access driver registration information on demand, at any time. The goal is to notify owners of vehicles where their vehicles can be found.

Banking & Insurance Committee’s First Meeting

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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February 3, 2026

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Banking & Insurance Committee’s First Meeting

The Subcommittee on Banking and Insurance met this afternoon.

Markup & Passage

House Bill 4089 requires health insurers to cover scalp-cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy.

The bill was advanced to the full committee.

Committee Hearing

House Bill 4009 creates the Portable Benefit Account Act, which allows independent contractors to receive benefits from their hiring parties for healthcare, retirement, and life insurance.

House Bill 4117 prohibits out-of-network emergency medical services agencies from balance billing a covered enrollee in a health insurance plan for ground ambulance services.