The bill introduced on March 18, 2025, known as "Raylee's Law," amends the Code of West Virginia to prohibit home schooling under certain circumstances, specifically when there is a pending investigation for child abuse or neglect against a custodial parent or instructor, or if either has a conviction for domestic violence or child abuse/neglect. The legislation aims to protect children by ensuring that home schooling is not permitted in potentially harmful situations. It also establishes requirements for home instruction, including the necessity for the county board to provide written justification for any denial of home instruction requests and allows the county superintendent to seek a court order to deny home instruction if there is probable cause of educational neglect.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that require instructors to initiate remedial programs if annual assessments indicate insufficient progress and mandates that the county board inform parents about available services for assessing special education eligibility. It clarifies that identifying a disability does not exclude a child from participating in learning pods or microschools. The bill also stipulates that academic assessment results must be submitted to the county superintendent regularly and allows composite results from learning pods or microschools. While these alternative educational settings must comply with home instruction provisions, they are not classified as homeschooling, particularly regarding students needing special education services, which must adhere to specific regulations, including the placement of video cameras for their protection.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-8-1