The proposed bill aims to establish the West Virginia TEACH Scholarship Program, which is designed to enhance access to education and training for individuals seeking careers in early childhood education. The program will be administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and will provide scholarships to eligible applicants who meet specific criteria, including employment at an eligible child-care facility and enrollment in an accredited post-secondary program. The bill outlines the scholarship's terms, including the maximum amount awarded, the conditions for transferability, and the requirement for recipients to maintain employment in the child-care sector to avoid repayment obligations.

Additionally, the bill creates the West Virginia TEACH Scholarship Program Fund, which will be used to manage the financial aspects of the scholarship program, including the disbursement of funds and the collection of repayments from recipients who do not fulfill their employment commitments in the state. The legislation emphasizes the importance of addressing the child-care crisis in West Virginia by investing in the education of child-care workers, thereby improving workforce participation and economic development in the state. The Commission is also tasked with reporting on the program's effectiveness and proposing necessary legislative rules for its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18C-10-1, 18C-10-2, 18C-10-3, 18C-10-4, 18C-10-5, 18C-10-6