The proposed bill, known as the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act, aims to enhance student safety in West Virginia by mandating that all schools serving grades six through twelve provide at least one hour of evidence-based youth violence prevention training each school year. Additionally, schools serving grades K-12 will be required to offer at least one hour of evidence-based social inclusion training annually. The West Virginia Department of Education is tasked with developing a list of approved training programs and materials, which must be made publicly available and updated every 36 months. The bill also allows the Department to require schools to establish student-led violence prevention clubs and encourages the pursuit of state and federal funding to support these initiatives.

The legislation defines key terms, including "Department of Education" and "evidence-based," and outlines the content that the training programs must cover, such as recognizing warning signs of violence and understanding social isolation. Importantly, the requirements set forth in the bill are voluntary for public charter schools and nonpublic schools, allowing for flexibility in implementation. Overall, the bill seeks to create a safer school environment by equipping students with the knowledge and skills to prevent violence and foster social inclusion.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-36-1, 18-36-2, 18-36-3, 18-36-4, 18-36-5, 18-36-6, 18-36-7
Committee Substitute: 18-36-1, 18-36-2, 18-36-3, 18-36-4, 18-36-5, 18-36-6
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 18-36-1, 18-36-2, 18-36-3, 18-36-4, 18-36-5, 18-36-6