The proposed bill aims to amend and reenact sections 18-28-2 and 18-28-3 of the Code of West Virginia, establishing the "Restoring Private Schools Act of 2026." Key changes include the removal of specific attendance and health regulations for private, parochial, or church schools, such as the requirement for a minimum instructional term of 900 hours and the maintenance of annual attendance and immunization records. Instead, the bill emphasizes that these schools are subject to reasonable fire, health, and safety inspections and must comply with school bus safety regulations. Additionally, schools are required to establish and update a crisis response plan in accordance with state guidelines.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the previous standardized testing requirements, allowing private schools greater autonomy in determining their assessment standards. It removes the obligation for these schools to administer nationally normed standardized tests and instead permits them to implement their own measures for instruction and assessment as deemed appropriate by their leadership. The new language emphasizes the independence of private schools from governmental oversight in these areas, reinforcing their ability to operate as autonomous entities.

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