The proposed bill, known as the Restoring Private Schools Act of 2025, seeks to amend existing laws regarding private, parochial, or church schools in West Virginia. Key changes include the removal of specific attendance and health regulations, such as the requirement for a minimum instructional term of 180 days and the maintenance of annual attendance and immunization records. Instead, the bill introduces new provisions that require schools to comply with reasonable fire, health, and safety inspections, as well as to establish and update a crisis response plan in accordance with state guidelines.

Additionally, the bill alters the previous standardized testing requirements, granting private schools the autonomy to determine their own assessment standards without the need to administer a nationally normed standardized achievement test. This shift emphasizes the independence of private educational institutions, allowing them to implement instructional and assessment measures deemed appropriate by their leadership. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the operational freedom of private schools while still ensuring compliance with essential safety regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-28-2, 18-28-3