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West VirginiaHB 43952026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to investigations of allegations of child safety violations for school personnel.

Sponsored By: Sarah Drennan (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§18A-2-8

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Clear discipline grounds and quick appeals

County boards can suspend or fire staff for listed causes, including immorality, incompetence, cruelty, insubordination, intemperance, willful neglect, a poor evaluation, a state abuse finding, a job-related misdemeanor, or any felony. Unsatisfactory performance charges can only come from a formal evaluation and must be served in writing within two days of being presented to the board. After written charges, the employee has five days to request a level three hearing and appeal. A firing based only on an abuse finding or a felony conviction or plea is not itself a ground for a grievance.

Faster reporting and a state misconduct database

Principals, supervisors, and administrators must report alleged staff conduct that risks student health, safety, welfare, or the learning environment to the county superintendent within 24 hours. County superintendents must tell the state superintendent within seven business days when an employee is suspended, fired, transferred, or resigns during an investigation, and explain why. Investigations continue even if the employee transfers or resigns. The state keeps a confidential database of people investigated, suspended, or dismissed, with the reason. Only county HR directors, county superintendents, and the state superintendent can see it. Private schools can choose to share information.

Staff under investigation removed from students

When a fact-finding investigation starts into conduct that could harm students or the learning environment, the employee is removed from student contact. The person must be suspended, placed on administrative leave, or reassigned until the case is finished. The same rule applies if the employee is charged with a felony, a job-related misdemeanor, or child abuse.

Suspended employees keep limited school access

While suspended, an employee cannot be barred from public events on school property. If the employee has a dependent child at the school, they may still enter to do normal parent or guardian tasks. Schools can deny access if the person’s presence risks student safety, harms the learning environment or an activity, prejudices an investigation or proceeding, breaks a court order or law, or threatens property.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sarah Drennan

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Burkhammer

    Republican • House

  • Kathie Hess Crouse

    Republican • House

  • Lori Dittman

    Republican • House

  • Michael Hite

    Republican • House

  • Michael Hornby

    Republican • House

  • Jonathan Kyle

    Republican • House

  • Tristan Leavitt

    Republican • House

  • David McCormick

    Republican • House

  • Erica Moore

    Republican • House

  • Jeffrey Stephens

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 0

House vote • 3/13/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 498)

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 396)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/27/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 220)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026House

  3. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  6. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  7. House received Senate message

    3/13/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 498)

    3/13/2026House

  9. Communicated to Senate

    3/13/2026House

  10. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026House

  11. On 3rd reading

    3/10/2026Senate

  12. Read 3rd time

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Passed Senate (Roll No. 396)

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Title amendment adopted

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. Senate requests House to concur

    3/10/2026Senate

  16. On 2nd reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  17. Read 2nd time

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/9/2026Senate

  19. On 1st reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  20. Read 1st time

    3/6/2026Senate

  21. Reported do pass

    3/5/2026Senate

  22. Introduced in Senate

    3/4/2026Senate

  23. To Education

    3/4/2026Senate

  24. To Education

    3/4/2026Senate

  25. Read 3rd time

    2/27/2026House

Bill Text

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