This bill proposes the creation of the "Higher Education Health and Aid Grant" program, which will be established by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The program aims to provide financial support to state institutions of higher education to address issues of food insecurity and health and hygiene inadequacies among students. The bill outlines specific criteria for how grant funds can be utilized, including the establishment of food and health aid pantries on campuses, the purchase of shelf-stable food and hygiene products, and the requirement for institutions to maintain detailed inventory records and submit periodic reports on their expenditures.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Chancellor or a designated representative of the Higher Education Policy Commission will allocate grant funding to compliant institutions and will determine the amount of each grant based on the needs of the students. A reporting requirement is also included, which obligates the Chancellor to submit a comprehensive report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability within one year of the program's establishment. This report will assess the program's impact on food and hygiene insecurity among students and provide recommendations for potential expansion. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18B-22-1, 18B-22-2, 18B-22-3, 18B-22-4, 18B-22-5, 18B-22-6
Committee Substitute: 18B-22-1, 18B-22-2, 18B-22-3, 18B-22-4, 18B-22-5