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Research & Outreach
2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
A key component of the Education Alliance’s mission is to foster dialogue between policy makers and stakeholders on the issues effecting public education. The Education Alliance believes that public education is strongest when input from all stakeholders is valued and partners feel welcomed into the process. Our students and our state deserve an active and engaged public. To support this goal throughout the 2025 Legislative Session, we will focus exclusively on education-related bills that are actively moving through the legislative process and are under formal consideration by the legislature and will update this site each Friday.
Week of March 24-28
The West Virginia Legislature has now reached the 45th day of its 60-day regular session. Next Wednesday is crossover day and the last day to consider bills in the house of origin.
House Bills
- HB2777 - Relating to removing requirements to submit certain evidence on behalf of home-schooled children. While discussing a bill designed to ease the homeschooling process for parents, the House Education Committee voted to amend the bill to add in Raylee's Law. Raylee's Law, named after Raylee Browning, a Fayette County child who was abused, pulled from school when teachers began suspecting abuse and later died in her home, is a law that would add a child abuse and neglect provision to the homeschool approval process This bill is in the House, on the 2nd reading of the Special Calendar. Read more here.
- HB3446- Requiring public high school students submit FAFSA prior to graduation. This bill is in the House, on the 2nd reading of the Special Calendar.
- HB508- Relating to modifying the school aid formula to provide more support for schools under certain circumstances.This bill originated in the House, do pass and now resides in House Finance.
- HB2167- Relating to public charter schools code provisions. This bill is in the House, on the 3rd reading of the Special Calendar.
- HB3422- Relating to requiring the State Board of Education to design, test, and deploy an internet-based reporting system to be known as the School Choice Portal. This bill is in the House, on the 2nd reading of the Special Calendar.
- HB3438- To allow retired teachers in long-term substitute positions with specialties in maths, sciences, English, and foreign languages to remain in the substitute teaching positions for the entire school year without interruption to their retirement pay in order to allow students to have a quality, uninterrupted education. This bill is in the House, do pass and resides in House Finance.
- HB2528 - To permit students in Christian schools at the elementary and middle school level to participate in county-level sport tournaments This bill is in the House, on the 3rd reading of the Special Calendar.
Senate Bills:
- SB 506 Related to Enhanced Pay for Teachers WV teacher pay raises would be contingent on area’s home values, according to Senate bill. Only 25 counties would qualify for a potential salary enhancement. Read more here
- SB 460 - Related to Vaccine Requirements -the House of Delegates voted against the bill, which sought to introduce religious exemptions to the state's mandatory school vaccination requirements. The bill was defeated with 42 votes in favor and 56 against, following more than two hours of debate. Read more here.
- SB 705 Allowing Board of Education to promulgate rules for submission to Legislature The Senate approved this bill aiming to grant the Legislature oversight and decision-making authority over the State Board of Education. Proponents believe this measure ensures that elected officials have a say in educational policies, while critics argue it undermines the autonomy of the State Board of Education. The bill now moves to the House for deliberation Read more here.
- SB199 - A bill giving elementary school teachers a way to combat disruptive, violent behavior in the classroom passed the West Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday. Senate Bill 199 passed 94-3, with three members absent or not voting. The bill returned to the Senate and the Senate amended the House amendment. The Senate now requests the House to concur. Read more here.
- SB 474 - Ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The bill to ban DEI in state government and schools passed the Senate 32-2 with only 4 No votes. This bill now advances to the House. Read more here.
- SB755- Establishing WV Secondary School Athletic Trainer and Career Technical Education Program Act. The bill was introduced in Senate Education, Committee Substitute reported but first to Finance.
- SB89- Creating alternative high-risk population public charter schools. The bill reported do pass in Senate Education but first to Finance.
- SB529- Relating generally to liability insurance coverage for Board of Education. This bill passed the Senate and was ordered to the House.
- SB275 - Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent. This bill passed the Senate, title amendment adopted and ordered to House. It resides in House Education with amendment, do pass.
- SB280 - Displaying official US motto in public schools. This bill passed the Senate, was introduced in the House, House Education with amendments, do pass, but first to Judiciary.
- SB282 - Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage. This bill pass the Senate and was ordered to House. In House Education with amendment, do pass and is currently on the 1st reading of the Special Calendar.
- SB650 - Relating to full-time interventionists. This bill pass the Senate and was ordered to House. In House Education with amendment, do pass and is currently on the 1st reading of the Special Calendar.
Comments or Questions?
If you have questions or wish to be added to our listserve, please contact us at info@educationalliance.org.