The proposed bill aims to establish the "Higher Education Health and Aid Grant" program under the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. This initiative is designed to provide financial support to state institutions of higher education with the goal of addressing student food insecurity and health and hygiene inadequacies. The bill outlines specific criteria for institutions to qualify for the grant, including the establishment of food and health aid pantries on campus, the purchase of shelf-stable food and hygiene products, and the maintenance of detailed inventory records of grant expenditures.

Additionally, the bill mandates that institutions submit physical receipts for their expenditures and periodic inventory reports to the Chancellor or their designee. A reporting requirement is also included, which obligates the Chancellor to provide a comprehensive report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability within one year of the program's establishment. This report will detail grant awards, funding rationales, the program's impact on food and hygiene insecurity, and recommendations for future expansion. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Engrossed Version: 18B-23-1, 18B-23-2, 18B-23-3, 18B-23-4, 18B-23-5
Introduced Version: 18B-23-1, 18B-23-2, 18B-23-3, 18B-23-4, 18B-23-5