Bill > SB63

Introduced Session

AN ACT to amend and reenact §18-5G-3, §18-5G-4, §18-5G-7, and §18-5G-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend the code by adding two new sections, designated §18-5G-18 and §18-5G-19, relating generally to public charter school provisions; providing technical corrections by incorporating language that was inadvertently altered by or removed from the code in 2025 in House Bill 2167; modifying the process for virtual standardized testing limitations; removing the requirement that charter schools consult with nationally recognized charter school organizations; removing the requirement that no public charter school may begin operation prior to the beginning of the proposed school year; providing that in the case of a conversion school authorized by a public school of this state, the governing board shall include the five elected county board members, as well as two members of the community as chosen by the county superintendent; providing that the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board may accept all types of applications; allowing an established public charter school in good standing with its authorizer to establish a second location or campus; providing that a public charter school may submit to its authorizer a proposed amendment to any information in its application at any time and the authorizer may approve or reject the proposed amendment; providing that a rural in-person public charter school may be established by its rural charter school governing board under the sponsorship of a public charter school or county school board to serve eligible students; creating a right of first refusal for public charter schools for unused or underutilized public schools, to be known as Supporting Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act or "SOAR;" providing for the purpose of SOAR; setting forth the process for property disposition; and providing that an institution of higher education may apply to an authorizer to establish an on-campus public charter microschool or a blended program, which includes in-person or virtual instruction, but may not be a full-time virtual charter school, which are required to meet the microschool related requirements of §18-8-1 of this code.

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Patricia Rucker (R)*, 

Approved by Governor 3/25/2026 (on 03/25/2026)

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