Education Committee Chairs Talk School Discipline, Teacher Staffing

On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with the chairs of House and Senate Education, Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, and Del. Joe Ellington, R-Mercer. They discuss a wide range of topics including school discipline and ways the state can improve the ongoing teacher shortage.

In the House Tuesday, lawmakers approved bills related to court-appointed special advocates in the state’s foster care system, destruction of first responder equipment and clarifications for officers, lawyers and judges when distributing child sex abuse materials — described in the bill as “child pornography” — as part of their official duties in the judicial system. All three bills now head to the Senate for consideration.

The House Health Committee held a hearing on a controversial piece of legislation that would allow for religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions for school children.

And school discipline has been a key legislative issue for several years. As part of the new committee hearing process, the House Education Committee spent two days discussing House Bill 2515. Chris Schulz brings us this story.

Also, a bill to remove regulatory requirements for health care providers to expand or offer additional services in West Virginia failed to pass its committee by one vote Monday afternoon. Emily Rice has this story.

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The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.