This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 18-2-9b, to the Code of West Virginia, mandating that all public schools in the state provide adoption awareness materials to students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) upon request, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The materials, sourced from the West Virginia Department of Human Services, will cover various aspects of adoption, including types of adoption, differences between foster care and private adoption, available resources for assistance, and information relevant to pregnant students and their parents.

Furthermore, the State Board of Education is tasked with developing written standards and information related to the adoption awareness materials. The bill also stipulates that any written information provided to students must be shared with the parents or guardians of pregnant students enrolled in public schools. This initiative aims to enhance awareness and understanding of adoption among high school students in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-9b