Charleston, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Education Committee met on Friday afternoon.
House Bill 2548 clarifies the state’s supervisory authority over rule implementation at the state and county levels.
House Bill 2755 authorizes the Board of Education to submit all legislative rules to LOCEA and the Legislature for review, approval, amendment, or rejection.
House Bill 2773 approves rules proposed by the Higher Education Policy Commission for the Accountability System and the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars and Teacher Loan Repayment Program. The bill also authorizes the Council for Community and Technical College Education’s proposed rule on Employing and Evaluating Presidents.
House Bill 3024 establishes a comprehensive system for transferring credits between state public higher education institutions.
House Bill 3150 simplifies the requirements for the Medical Student Loan Program and the Health Sciences and Mental Health Provider loan repayment programs.
House Bill 3192 repeals obsolete, conflicting, and duplicative higher education provisions from the code.
House Bill 2003 prohibits students from using cell phones in the classroom. The bill directs the state board of education to develop rules to implement the prohibition. Exceptions are made for students who require cell phones for ADA, IEPS, or medical reasons. The state board will establish guidelines for counties as a starting point for their cell phone policies.
House Bill 2760 establishes a partnership between Workforce West Virginia and the West Virginia Board of Education to implement a STEM-based program in high and technical schools that teaches chemistry concepts related to careers in the education system. This begins in only ten schools for the first two years, then expands to all high school students in the state.
House Bill 2897 requires the Legislative Auditor to conduct a performance review of the West Virginia Department of Education. It grants the Legislative Auditor the authority to conduct examinations and inspections. The bill requires the legislative auditor to ensure the confidentiality, privacy, and security of protected information.
House Bill 3099 allows law enforcement to cite students who are caught using nicotine products on school grounds.
House Bill 3125 allows teachers who have taught in West Virginia for ten consecutive years and are in good standing to apply for and receive a permanent teaching certificate without having to take any additional courses.
House Bill 3166 requires all county boards of education to create standardized school safety mapping data by September 1, 2025. The bill requires that school safety mapping data be shared with the state board of education, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and local first responders.
House Bill 2499 was tabled until the next meeting.
