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West VirginiaHB 50892026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to public school acceptance of student transcripts or other credentials

Sponsored By: Joe Ellington (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§18-8-1A

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Early entrance for ready children

County school boards can set rules for early entrance or higher placement if a child shows enough mental and physical readiness. The board’s policy sets how readiness is checked and how placement works.

Hope Scholarship option before kindergarten

Parents can apply for a Hope Scholarship before enrolling a child in publicly supported kindergarten. The scholarship can be renewed each year under program rules.

Transfers keep grade; transcripts are accepted

Public schools count approved nonpublic kindergarten as attendance, including Montessori, homeschool, Hope Scholarship, private, parochial, or church programs recognized by the state. When a child enters public school after one of these, the school places the child in the developmentally and academically right grade. If a student transfers from another state, the school enrolls the student in the same grade. Public schools must accept transcripts or credentials from public, charter, private, homeschool, microschool, or Hope Scholarship programs for placement and credit, and must note the class, grade, and source on the new transcript.

School attendance rules for children and adults

Compulsory attendance starts in the school year your child turns 6 before July 1, or when you enroll them in full-time public kindergarten. Attendance continues until their 17th birthday, or longer if they stay enrolled after 17. You may ask to remove your child from a publicly supported kindergarten, but the principal makes the final decision. If a student is 18 or older and still enrolled, the student must follow attendance rules and parents are not liable.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joe Ellington

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bill Bell

    Republican • House

  • Jeff Campbell

    Republican • House

  • Ray Canterbury

    Republican • House

  • Kathie Hess Crouse

    Republican • House

  • Lori Dittman

    Republican • House

  • Marty Gearheart

    Republican • House

  • Gary G. Howell

    Republican • House

  • Andy Shamblin

    Republican • House

  • Joe Statler

    Republican • House

  • Christopher W. Toney

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 119 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 466)

Yes: 32 • No: 2

House vote • 3/3/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 263)

Yes: 87 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/25/2026

    3/25/2026House

  3. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026House

  6. House received Senate message

    3/13/2026House

  7. On 3rd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  8. Read 3rd time

    3/11/2026Senate

  9. Passed Senate (Roll No. 466)

    3/11/2026Senate

  10. Communicated to House

    3/11/2026Senate

  11. Completed legislative action

    3/11/2026Senate

  12. Read 2nd time

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. On 2nd reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  14. Laid over on 2nd reading 3/9/2026

    3/9/2026Senate

  15. On 1st reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  16. Read 1st time

    3/6/2026Senate

  17. Reported do pass

    3/5/2026Senate

  18. Introduced in Senate

    3/4/2026Senate

  19. To Education

    3/4/2026Senate

  20. To Education

    3/4/2026Senate

  21. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/3/2026House

  22. Read 3rd time

    3/3/2026House

  23. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/3/2026House

  24. Amendment withdrawn (Voice vote)

    3/3/2026House

  25. Passed House (Roll No. 263)

    3/3/2026House

Bill Text

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