The proposed bill aims to establish the West Virginia Education Freedom and Parental Empowerment Act, which introduces a framework for the creation and management of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for K-12 students in the state. The bill outlines that federal education funding, when returned to West Virginia as block grants, will be allocated into individual ESAs controlled by parents or guardians. These accounts are intended to provide parents with the ability to choose educational options for their children without restrictions based on income or location. The bill also defines key terms such as "block grant," "education savings account," and "qualified educational expenses," which include a range of educational services and materials.

Additionally, the bill proposes significant changes to the governance of K-12 education in West Virginia by dissolving the regulatory powers of the State Board of Education. Under the new framework, the State Treasurer will oversee the ESA program, ensuring secure distribution and tracking of funds, while the State Board will only serve as a pass-through entity for federal funds. The legislation also includes a Parental Bill of Rights, affirming parents' authority over their children's education and prohibiting discrimination based on educational choices. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and will be fully implemented upon the state's receipt of federal education block grants.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-9K-1, 18-9K-2, 18-9K-3, 18-9K-4, 18-9K-5, 18-9K-6, 18-9K-7, 18-9K-8