Bill > HB4544

This bill amends West Virginia law to create a dedicated homeless education coordinator position within county school systems. Specifically, it mandates that counties designated as "urban" by the state board will employ a full-time coordinator, while "rural" counties will have a part-time coordinator, with these designations potentially based on Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) definitions. These coordinators will be responsible for a wide range of duties aimed at ensuring homeless children and youth are identified, enrolled, and have an equal opportunity to succeed in school, including coordinating referrals to essential services, expediting placement, informing parents of their children's educational rights, and collaborating with various agencies and school personnel. The bill also removes the previous duty of the attendance director to serve as a liaison for homeless children and youth, consolidating this responsibility under the new homeless education coordinator role.