House Passes Jaycie’s Law

Today, the House of Delegates passed eight bills.

House Bill 4863 creates the Patriotic Access to Students in Schools Act. The bill allows representatives of a patriotic society to speak with and recruit students to participate in their organization during school hours to inform them on how the patriotic society can further students’ interests and civil involvement.

House Bill 4933 removes dentures from applying to the $1,000 limit for Medicaid Dental Coverage. It takes effect on July 1, 2024.

House Bill 5056 allows full-time school service personnel to substitute in other service personnel positions on a day-to-day basis.

House Bill 5153 updates the requirements of the WV STEM Scholarship. It allows for students of public, private, charter, home, mico, and pod schools to be eligible for the scholarship.  

House Bill 5158 updates the special education code.

House Bill 5179, Jaycie’s Law, requires the WV Department of Education to establish a policy to support the educational and parenting goals of pregnant and parenting students. Each county board shall have a written attendance policy for pregnant and parenting students which shall include excused absences for labor, delivery, recovery, and prenatal/postnatal medical appointments. Mothers shall be given at least eight weeks for recovery and fathers shall be given two weeks. County boards shall ensure the parents remain on track to graduate by providing academic support such as weekly virtual or homebound instructor visits.  

House Bill 5200 requires school counselors to participate in the School Counselors Conference once every two years beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. The bill also requires counselors to receive training regarding building, trades, and apprenticeship programs available to students.

House Bill 5248 creates licenses for residential behavioral health centers and non-residential behavioral health centers. The regulation and oversight of all behavioral health centers by the OHFLAC. The Inspector General shall create rules.

Bills introduced today can be found here.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, February 8, 2023, at 11 a.m.

Committee Meetings, today Feb. 7
The Finance Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460 for Budget Hearings, a meeting to follow. Feb.
 The Judiciary Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 410. 
The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow Feb. 8 
The Committee on Seniors, Children, and Families will meet at 9:15 a.m. in Room 215E.
The Committee on Jails and Prisons will meet at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Fire Departments and EMS will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 434.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 410.
 The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 434.
 The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Judiciary Committee will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, February 8, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in the House Chamber for HB 5243 – Relating to Women’s Bill of Rights.