Committee backs bill to ensure virtual instruction for foster students awaiting placement

The Select Committee on School Choice voted to report House Bill 5048 to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass as amended.

Committee counsel told the committee the bill creates a new section of code (transcribed as "49 2 1 25 a") to ensure foster students receive virtual instruction while in temporary placement facilities until they are placed with a permanent foster family. Counsel said the measure provides that if a county does not have a virtual program, a virtual charter school will be used to avoid interruption of the student’s education and that the West Virginia Department of Education would provide training in the use of these programs free of charge to those responsible for the foster child and to the child.

Counsel explained that the committee amendment specifies what education and training for the foster parent and child will include and that the Department of Education will provide training free of charge. The vice chair moved the amendment; the chair called a voice vote and declared the ayes have it, adopting the amendment. The vice chair then moved that House Bill 5048 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass as amended. The chair called a voice vote and declared the ayes have it; the motion was adopted and the bill was reported out.

The transcript records no roll-call vote or individual vote tallies and no public testimony on the measure during this meeting. The bill will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.