The Senate met Monday morning and completed legislative action on several bills, amended bills on second reading, and received messages from the House.
House Bill 4798 would authorize wearable panic alert systems in West Virginia schools under “Alyssa’s Law.”
The devices would allow school personnel to directly contact 9-1-1 and trigger campus-wide lockdown notifications during emergencies, contingent upon available funding.
The bill directs state education officials to set implementation rules. It allows county boards to distribute devices and requires annual training. The bill also mandates coordination with local law enforcement for security access. It creates a school safety fund for equipment costs and sunsets in 2029.
The bill was reported to the House of Delegates for consideration.
House Bill 4730 would require West Virginia to create a coordinated system of housing and support services for youth preparing to leave foster care or who have recently aged out.
The bill directs the Department of Human Services to develop a statewide continuum of independent living and transitional services by January 1, 2027. The system would include multiple supportive housing options and services to help youth build daily living, social, educational, and career skills.
The bill also requires the development of a payment structure for providers, allows stipends to help youth cover basic housing costs once they reach independent living, and establishes ongoing data collection and annual reporting to lawmakers on outcomes such as housing stability, employment, and education.
The bill completed legislative action and heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.
Afternoon Meetings:
Transportation and Infrastructure at 1 p.m. in Room 451M
Workforce at 1 p.m. in Room 208-W
Energy, Industry, and Mining at 2 p.m. in Room 208-W
Finance at 3 p.m. in Room 451-M
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in Room 208-W
Morning Meetings for Tuesday, March. 10:
Government Organization at 9 a.m. in Room 208-W
Education at 9 a.m. in Room 451-M
The Senate will remain in recess until 4:30 p.m.
