The bill amends various sections of the Code of West Virginia to address chronic absenteeism in schools by establishing that compulsory school attendance will end on a student's 18th birthday, while allowing for different attendance measures for students with exceptionalities. It removes criminal penalties for students aged 18 and older who are chronically absent, ensuring they receive the same notifications regarding unexcused absences as their parents or guardians. The bill introduces definitions for terms such as "chronically absent," "student support specialist," and "wraparound services," and clarifies the roles of school officials in managing attendance issues. Additionally, it outlines the responsibilities of county attendance directors, including coordinating wraparound services and implementing a System of Support Plan for students facing attendance challenges.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a process for referring chronically absent students to prepetition diversion programs and clarifies the court's role in monitoring these programs. It transitions away from treating truancy as a status offense, instead defining it as a child in need of supervision, and ensures that students in need of support are not placed in out-of-home facilities. The legislation emphasizes the importance of community services and support for juveniles and their families, while also establishing guidelines for the court's involvement in monitoring diversion programs. Significant changes include the insertion of provisions regarding the role of "Student Support Specialists" and the establishment of a timeline for handling truancy cases, with a directive that no new truancy petitions may be filed after July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-8-1a, 18-8-2, 18-8-4, 18-8-5, 18-8-6a, 21-6-9, 49-1-202, 49-1-206, 49-4-701, 49-4-702, 49-4-702a, 49-4-711, 49-4-712
Committee Substitute: 18-8-1a, 18-8-2, 18-8-4, 18-8-5, 18-8-6a, 21-6-9, 49-1-202, 49-1-206, 49-4-701, 49-4-702, 49-4-702a, 49-4-711, 49-4-712
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 18-8-1a, 18-8-2, 18-8-4, 18-8-5, 18-8-6a, 21-6-9, 49-1-202, 49-1-206, 49-4-701, 49-4-702, 49-4-702a, 49-4-711, 49-4-712