Video & Transcript Research : 'educators'
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Mar 20th, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- That will enhance our educational technology infrastructure.
- It creates the Educational. Technology Infrastructure Fund.
- Oh, what's Any done to pass the Senate bill 13 on education.
- I'm the Education Director and Attorney with the New Mexico.
- Thank you for working with our education committee.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Mar 11th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education will now come to order.
- I'm a special education teacher and an IEP case manager.
- So, you know, the education system is already well underfunded.
- Stephanie Cuncle with the Florida Education Association, waving in support.
- So we are continuing to move in the right direction as it comes to education.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and observed a moment of silence for Senator Geraldine Thompson. The committee first took up CS/SB 102, a bill by Senator Gates directing the Department of Education to develop a workforce credential program for students with autism spectrum disorder or students on a modified curriculum, in coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Supporters said the bill would help autistic students gain job skills and workplace safety credentials, while an opponent argued the bill should clearly make participation voluntary, expand to other exceptional student groups, include funding, and add stronger accountability. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SB 166, the Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools bill by Senator Simon. The bill would reduce or remove several state mandates and give districts more flexibility on testing, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, audits, facilities planning, emergency make-up days, federal fund use, and public VPK oversight. Senators asked about the impact on student proficiency, teacher evaluations, and the transfer of public VPK oversight to districts; Simon said the tests would remain but count as 30 percent of the grade, districts would retain flexibility in evaluation measures, and only public VPK would shift to districts. Public testimony was largely supportive, with some speakers praising reduced testing and local control, while one senator cautioned that Florida still has a math proficiency problem. The bill was reported favorably.
Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 296 by Senator Bradley, which would repeal the 2023 statewide mandate requiring later middle and high school start times and return the decision to local districts, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation and consider later start times. Supporters argued the mandate created transportation, staffing, and scheduling problems and that local control was more practical, while opponents emphasized sleep science and the benefits of later start times for teens. Several senators discussed the tension between research and district resources, and the bill sponsor said the measure preserves the conversation about sleep while allowing local scheduling decisions. CS/SB 296 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE-AEN, HRE Public Hearings 01-30-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- of educators and future farmers.
- education this type of quality educ education this type of quality educ education<00:53:39.400><
- We do need to focus on the education, the agriculture education, so we really support positions dedicated
- Online education has changed so much.
- <01:05:08.400>
has respects the online uh education has respects the online uh education has
Summary:
The joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture heard Senate Bill 1158, which would authorize general obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the University of Hawaiʻi, Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Maui County, MetroGrow Hawaiʻi, and other agricultural groups, who said the project would strengthen food resilience, support year-round production, create clean jobs, and provide a demonstration site for urban vertical farming. University representatives said the project would include demolition of an existing condemned building, a research and lab component, and a multistory vertical farm, with an estimated cost of $6 million and a projected two-year build time.
Members questioned whether Manoa was the best location, whether the project fit the university’s broader strategy, and whether the request would displace other priorities. The University said the site is tied to SEAR activities, close to students and faculty, and intended to support hands-on training and commercial-scale production. In response to concerns about soil testing and stakeholder needs, the University said it would restart the soil testing lab using internal funds, though not as part of this bill, and would request additional staff for efficiency. The committee then recessed and later reconvened in decision-making, where the chairs recommended and the committee adopted amendments to SB 1158, including a name correction and deferral to July 31, 2050, and the bill passed with amendments.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 663, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and SEAR research and experiment stations. The University testified that the stations are important for locally relevant agricultural research but are short staffed, with 34 positions down since 2005, and that the bill requests eight new positions, including agricultural technicians and four county community coordinator positions, to improve station operations, community engagement, and workforce development. The Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying the positions are needed to revamp extension services and that Manoa is an appropriate urban location for the vertical farming component. Members questioned why vacant or existing positions could not be used instead of new ones, and the University explained that some listed vacancies reflected old federally funded positions or inaccurate counts, promised a written update, and said it was working to fill current openings. No final vote on SB 663 was reached in the portion provided.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 13, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:37:22.760>
chair <00:37:23.079>Roy Education chair Roy Education chair Roy takumi<00 - <00:37:46.280>
is <00:37:46.680>education the department of education is education - the department of education is education we<00:37:47.880>
develop <00:37:48.319>the <00: - It's factors outside of education.
- It's factors outside of education.
Summary:
The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests.
State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction.
School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model.
Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 12th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- children, safe children, whether or not children are ready to learn by kindergarten, and how well-educated
- to early childhood educational outcomes.
- This might be a question for both the LFC and for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (
- And that's not in this report; that's in the June report that was given to the Legislative Education
- We educate them around car seat safety.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- You should be, too, and I would love to make a motion. related to education.
- How does this change 1012.56 educator certification requirements?
- So the amendment, 324221, to CSHB 1427, regards nursing education.
- We cannot let Florida be the worst state in the country for nursing education.
- This amendment keeps the current voter education requirements in place.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into special order and returning messages. Early floor action included passage of HB 6503 (relief for Mandy Penny Lamon by Sarasota County), HB 1123 (sewer collection systems), HB 211 (farm products), and a joint resolution on ad valorem tax exemption for agricultural tangible personal property, all approved without opposition. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the chamber recessed and later returned to messages from the House.
The Senate then took up a series of House amendments and conference-style motions on major bills. SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response was amended and concurred in after debate over hurricane recovery, local government moratoriums, evacuation timing in the Keys, and property tax and redevelopment provisions; it passed 34-1. CS/HB 1609 on waste incineration and auxiliary containers was heavily debated over plastic and polystyrene preemption, local beach and park regulations, and landfill/incinerator provisions, then passed 26-10. CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiatives was amended to allow volunteers to carry up to 25 petitions without registration/training and passed 28-9. The Senate also refused to concur in a House amendment to SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, and in SB 116 on veterans, seeking to restore funding for veteran suicide prevention.
Later, the chamber approved or advanced several education and health-related bills. CS/HB 1255 on education was amended and passed, with changes to school readiness and other education provisions. CS/HB 875 on educator preparation passed after discussion of cognitive science, classroom management, teacher excellence programs, and the phaseout of the general knowledge test. CS/HB 1105, a large education package, passed after debate over charter school conversions, cell phone restrictions, and other school governance changes. In health care, CS/HB 1427 was introduced as a comprehensive package combining multiple health-related provisions, though the excerpt ends before final action on that bill. Throughout the day, the Senate also concurred or refused to concur in various House amendments on mental health, financial institutions, land development, brownfields, and out-of-network provider legislation, with votes generally recorded and several measures passing on divided but mostly favorable roll calls.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- believe every child needs an education believe every child needs an education and<00:31:35.120><
- trust in our public education system. trust in our public education system.
- School should be about education.
- but one that further stunts education. but one that further stunts education.
- where they can receive an education. where they can receive an education.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 03/04/26
Transcript Highlights:
- It changes the authority of veterans education appropriations to MDVA's Veterans Education and Occupational
- references for veterans higher education references for veterans higher education programs<00:46
- <00:46:20.600>
programs to higher educational programs to higher educational programs since - assistance veterans education benefit. assistance veterans education benefit.
- It available state education benefit.
Summary:
The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans met on March 4, 2026, and began with a moment of silence honoring Sergeant First Class Nicole Amore of White Bear Lake, who was killed while serving in Kuwait. The committee then took up Senate File 3956, an MDVA policy bill giving the commissioner clearer authority to direct staff time and other non-monetary resources toward partnerships with organizations serving veterans, especially on food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, and related efforts. MDVA and Disabled American Veterans testified that the bill would help them work more quickly and clearly with outside partners, including food pantry and outreach efforts, while remaining focused on non-monetary support. Senator Howe offered an A1 amendment narrowing the bill to the three named priorities and removing the broader “other critical issues” language; the amendment was adopted after discussion about whether the reporting language also needed adjustment. SF 3956, as amended, was laid over for further consideration.
The committee then heard Senate File 3955, which would create a new procedure for temporary closure of a Minnesota veterans home if an involuntary termination notice requires it, bringing state law into closer alignment with federal expectations. MDVA emphasized that it had no intention of permanently closing any veterans homes and that the bill was intended only to establish a temporary closure plan to satisfy survey requirements. Senator Howe offered an A1 amendment clarifying that any closure would be temporary unless the legislature approved a permanent closure; MDVA and the Department of Health indicated the change was acceptable. The committee adopted the amendment and then voted to recommend SF 3955, as amended, to pass and refer it to the full committee.
Finally, the committee began Senate File 4072, an MDVA cleanup and conformity bill. After adopting a technical A3 amendment, MDVA explained that the bill would reclassify the Chief of Staff/Deputy Chief of Staff role as Deputy Commissioner for Administration to better reflect the scope of the position, and would also repeal outdated statutes related to environmental hazards assistance and a data-collection requirement that the department said it could not implement. The bill was still being presented when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SF 4072 was shown in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/28/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- a problem across the state in education. a problem across the state in education.
- our educators and students to succeed. our educators and students to succeed.
- from Lori Gotth, a special education from Lori Gotth, a special education para<01:31:41.440>
- ,<01:34:46.560>
we retaining high-quality educators, we retaining high-quality educators, - the uh Education Minnesota. the uh Education Minnesota.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (07/16/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- throughout that continuing education throughout that continuing education it's<01:20:58.000>
- 25:37.920>
require education does not always require education does not always require another - <01:26:24.880>
We education. We support licensing. We education. We support licensing. - <01:36:06.560>
I education class. I know that. Okay. I education class. I know that. - . education. education.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then took up several rule items. For Department of Safety rule 2611, DMV leadership explained the rule had been under development since January but needed to be updated to reflect a new statutory change and to align the rule with RSA 266. Members discussed narrowing the rule to road-safety items rather than automobile inspection provisions, and the department said it would issue a new public notice and hold another hearing. The committee voted to grant a waiver and postpone the item until the October 15, 2026 meeting.
The Board of Active Puncture Licensing item 26-47 was postponed one month at the agency’s request so it could incorporate OS feedback, with no waiver needed. The Insurance Department’s claim settlement rule 25-234 and related item 26-78 drew more extensive discussion over waiver language. Committee members objected that the proposed language gave the commissioner broad discretion to set waiver periods without clear criteria, while agency counsel argued the rule already contained standards and that the language allowed temporary waivers. After discussion about consistency, permanency, and the need for clearer documentation, the committee voted to postpone 25-234 with a waiver and to postpone 26-78.
Finally, the committee considered Health and Human Services rule 2690, which sets SNAP certification periods for a pilot demonstration authorized by SB 499. Staff explained that federal changes now require the age threshold for the 36-month certification period to be 65 instead of 60, and that the agency had been directed to make the change by August 12. Agency staff said the rule needed to be updated to match federal direction, and members generally agreed. The committee discussed whether the federal citation was sufficient and whether the rule should reference the law change directly, but no final objection was raised in the portion shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/18/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- The Jackson Street Roundhouse is a living museum, an educational hub, and a gathering space where we
- gathering space for cultural education gathering space for cultural education and<00:21:13.520><
- discussion today we're an educational discussion today we're an educational leader<00:32:23.399>
- Lots of testimonies, lots of educators speaking up on this.
- Lots of testimonies, lots of educators speaking up on this.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Here's really what makes us special, here's what we do better in educating Natives in higher education
- Here's what we do better in educating Natives in higher education than other schools.
- Here's what we do better in educating Natives in higher education than other schools.
- our education.
- Thank you for educating people.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:21:38.440>
with <00:21:38.559>a care and education with a care and education with - We also wanted to mention supporting access to high-quality early care and education.
- We also wanted to mention supporting access to high-quality early care and education.
- We also wanted to mention supporting access to high-quality early care and education.
- support their early care and education support their early care and education needs<00:25:32.039
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Attendance actually stands in the Department of Education, DCYF, and Human Services.
- As educational neglect, so we need to work on that.
- Education, plain and simple.
- I've gone to several education conferences.
- The number one issue in education right now is chronic absenteeism.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 13th, 2026 at 09:32 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- culturally responsive education.
- Our education pillar coordinator, her name is Asha Ortiz.
- As you might imagine, education is a big part of our goal here.
- King's vision is, and that education is, especially with our youth, to bring that message and education
- As an educator, that's important, right?
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- the Kentucky Valley of Education the Kentucky Valley of Education Cooperative<00:02:35.040>
to - joint committee on education. joint committee on education.
- And before education for about 26 years.
- agenda for the office of education agenda for the office of education accountability<00:31:59.120
- Education staff reached following year.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:22
Office of Education Accountability Report: Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs): 01:22
Approval of July 14, 2025 Minutes 31:21
Office of Education Accountability: 2025 Study Agenda 32:35
Adjournment: 39:12, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee heard an Office of Education Accountability report on Kentucky’s early childhood regional training centers (RTCs). OEA said the centers provide valuable training, consultation, technical assistance, and materials for preschool personnel, especially for children with disabilities and at-risk students, and that the services align with state and federal requirements. However, the report found uneven student and teacher populations across regions, wide variation in per-student funding, some staffing data inaccuracies, and several fiscal oversight concerns, including inconsistent indirect cost rates, a building rental charge that may have been duplicative, and host districts recording RTC expenditures in a way that could blur them with district finances. OEA also said some documentation of progress toward goals was incomplete and that the technology lending library appeared underused. The report recommended stronger KDE oversight, uniform coding and accounting practices, review of budgets and expenditures, and an evaluation of whether the current five-center model remains the most efficient structure; OEA also suggested the General Assembly may wish to revisit KRS 157.318. Members asked about KDE’s response, whether the centers are required by federal law, how the centers operate, and whether changing the model would affect federal funding. OEA said KDE had only discussed the findings informally and had not issued a formal response, the centers are required by state law but not federal law, and changing the model would not jeopardize IDEA preschool funds. The committee accepted the report by motion.
The subcommittee then approved the minutes from its July 14, 2025 meeting after initially delaying action because quorum was not yet present. After that, members turned to the Office of Education Accountability’s proposed 2026 study agenda. OEA said the three proposed topics are the annual district data profiles, facilities funding, and implementation of early literacy statutes. The district profiles would add an appendix showing the number and percentage of students moving to private school or homeschool by district and another appendix noting data-quality issues that affect comparability. OEA explained that district staffing data can undercount contract staff because those employees are not always entered into the system, and members expressed interest in tracking whether prior recommendations were implemented. One senator also raised a separate interest in reviewing whether KDE created and implemented regulations related to KFIX. The discussion remained informational, with no final vote on the study agenda shown in the transcript excerpt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As we have heard, under current law, education is mandatory for children between 6 and 18 years old.
- The motion is due pass, as amended, to the Assembly Education Committee. Lee? Aye. Lee, aye.
- Laurel Baer, educational consultant with the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Thank you.
- There's an incredible program that already exists, the CalWORKs recipient education program.
- That's the purpose of education. That's the goal of economic opportunity mobility.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction.
The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments.
Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- You can see all of the Metro versus rural areas, and educational attainment.
- , non-college-educated women, all across the board.
- Ashland Abney, Education Division Director for the Office of Early Childhood.
- And so the early childhood special education, of help for these kids.
- Adams with special education and Matt Sewell, and let me look at those funds.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the research found Arkansas moms are working and want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing flexible hours were the most requested workplace support, 69% of moms identified child care costs as a barrier, and many families spend a large share of income on care. Members asked about labor force trends, what flexibility means in practice, and the cost and age structure of child care assistance programs. The presenter also noted child care affects economic development and workforce recruitment, and mentioned a Department of Commerce option that may help pay child care for people seeking training.
Department of Education and Office of Early Childhood staff then gave updates on internal dashboards for enrollment, applications, and provider participation in School Readiness Assistance (SRA), saying the tools are now live for internal use and should improve transparency and data access. They said CLASS transition funding from the PDG grant would be released soon to providers who completed observations, and clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work. They also warned providers about a payment interruption during the transition to a new system: June 26 would be the last day to submit SRA payments for processing, payments would stop June 30, and billing would continue without processing from July 1 to 13, with back payments expected when the system resumes around July 14. Members raised concerns about provider cash flow, early childhood special education funding, an overpayment appeal involving a child care center, and whether CLASS data would be public; staff said the data is FOIA-able but not used by the department to set current quality or rates.
The department also said it is reviewing audit requirements tied to Head Start and SRA, that Early Head Start children remained in their facilities after a closure, and that a market rate survey/cost analysis is still in procurement. Staff reported that the QRIS process will begin with a June 23 webinar and that CLASS will be part of a broader quality system still being developed with provider and parent input. They also said the local lead network was re-competed and will cover all counties starting July 1 with 23 local leads, and that the PDG partner group has been formed to provide ongoing stakeholder feedback. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Education Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 09:36 am
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, if somebody has an educational experience, that's an excused absence.
- And sometimes in our court system back home, we deal with what's called education neglect.
- Welcome to Senate Education. Yes, thank you for having me.
- Our West Virginia state constitution entitles every child to a free education, a free public education
- Only the difference here is a child's prognosis in education is the outcome.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its prior meeting and then took up House Bill 5537, a bill to repeal several obsolete or outdated code sections. Counsel explained that the bill would remove provisions related to professional development, a behavioral interventionist pilot program, county lists of facilities for child daycare, and high school graduation rates, with a proposed amendment adding another outdated education code section from 1923. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 5537 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended.
The committee then considered House Bill 4656, which would shift truancy policy toward chronic absenteeism and earlier intervention. Counsel said the committee substitute would replace punitive status-offense treatment with wraparound services, student support specialists, and a new child-in-need-of-supervision process, while also ending compulsory attendance at age 18 and removing criminal penalties for 18-year-olds. Members questioned how the new thresholds would work, including the role of attendance directors, prosecutors, judges, and the Department of Human Services, and whether the bill would change current diversion funding or court authority.
Witnesses from Fayette County, Greenbrier County, and Taylor County largely opposed the bill or urged caution. The Fayette County attendance director said current truancy procedures, including school-based probation and court involvement, help secure family participation and services, and warned that removing the status offense would weaken enforcement. A Greenbrier County probation officer said diversion programs are effective and that court involvement often leads to needed services. A Taylor County juvenile prosecutor said status-offense jurisdiction gives courts meaningful leverage and flexibility, and asked that counties be allowed to keep existing approaches that work locally. After testimony, the committee voted to report HB 4656 to the full Senate without recommendation and with a recommendation that it be re-referred to the Committee on Education, then adjourned.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Education Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 09:36 am
Education
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, if somebody has an educational experience, that's an excused absence.
- And sometimes in our court system back home, we deal with what's called education neglect.
- Welcome to Senate Education. Yes, thank you for having me.
- Our West Virginia state constitution entitles every child to a free education, a free public education
- Only the difference here is a child's prognosis in education is the outcome.