This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia to enhance access to homebound educational services for students with exceptionalities. Specifically, it allows nurse practitioners and certified physician's assistants, in addition to physicians, to certify a student's eligibility for homebound services if they are unable to attend school due to injury or other reasons for a period exceeding three weeks. This change is intended to remove barriers for families and ensure that students receive timely educational support.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that local educational agencies (LEAs) provide special education services to all exceptional students aged five to twenty-one, including those in various educational settings such as general education classrooms and homebound services. It also stipulates that LEAs must adopt policies allowing students with disabilities to participate in graduation ceremonies and continue receiving special education services until they reach the age of 21, regardless of their participation in the ceremony. The state board is tasked with adopting rules to ensure compliance with these provisions and to guarantee that all exceptional students receive an appropriate education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-20-1