Bill > HB3499

This bill, known as "Raylee's Law," amends West Virginia's home schooling regulations to prohibit home instruction in households where there is a pending child abuse or neglect investigation or where a custodial parent or instructing person has been previously convicted of domestic violence or child abuse. Specifically, the bill adds new language to the existing home schooling exemption statute that prevents county boards from authorizing home instruction if there is an ongoing child abuse investigation or if either the custodial parent or instructing person has been convicted of domestic violence or child abuse under specific state legal codes. If a request for home instruction is denied by the county board, the board must provide written justification for the denial. The bill aims to protect children from potential educational and physical harm by preventing home schooling in environments with documented histories of abuse or violence, while still maintaining the general framework of home instruction exemptions in West Virginia's compulsory education laws.