Senate Education met Thursday morning and advanced two bills regarding women’s sports and Holocaust learning.
Senate Bill 502 would establish the Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act.
The bill would provide permanent funding and incentives to protect women’s college sports at public NCAA Division one colleges in West Virginia.
It would offer endowments, state matching funds for savings, and tax credits for private donations while ensuring compliance with Title IX.
The bill was reported from committee and will be sent to the committee on Finance.
Senate Bill 633 would establish the West Virginia Commission on Holocaust Education.
This bill would update and reorganize the West Virginia Commission on Holocaust Education to ensure the continuation of Holocaust education as firsthand survivors become fewer over time.
The bill states that the original statutory framework must be revised because of the loss of Holocaust survivors, eyewitnesses, and liberators who previously participated in the Commission.
The West Virginia Holocaust Education Commission’s new members would include:
- Ex Officio: Education, Human Rights, Veterans’ Affairs leaders
- Community/Civil Rights: Jewish, interfaith, and civil rights representatives
- Educators/Scholars: K-12 teachers, college reps, Holocaust experts
- Public Members: Experts in history, ethics, or human rights
- Optional: Up to 2 extra voting members and non-voting advisors (students, scholars, and community leaders)
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
