Measure Heads Back to House of Delegates With Changes
By Steven Allen Adams for The Intelligencer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate passed its version of a bill Monday addressing student discipline in elementary schools, as well as Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s bills opening up the state to those bringing occupational and professional licenses from other states.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 199, relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety, in a 33-0 vote Monday morning. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 458, the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act, in a 33-0 vote. Both bills head to the House of Delegates.
SB 199 addresses concerns being raised by teachers about the growing number of incidents with students in kindergarten through sixth grade where children are exhibiting violent, threatening, or intimidating behavior towards fellow students, teachers, and staff.
It is similar to a bill introduced last year by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Amy Grady, R-Mason, that died on the last night of the 2024 legislative session. Grady said she has been working with her counterparts in the House Education Committee and the state Department of Education and believes this is the year for the bill to finally pass.
