The bill amends and reenacts section 29-12-5a of the Code of West Virginia, which pertains to mandatory liability insurance coverage for county boards of education and public charter schools. It mandates that the State Board of Risk and Insurance Management provide liability insurance for county boards of education, their employees, and public charter schools that choose to obtain coverage. The insurance must cover claims related to alleged negligence resulting in bodily injury or property damage while individuals are acting within the scope of their duties. The minimum coverage amount is adjusted from $1,250,000 to $1 million for each occurrence, and the requirement for county boards to purchase excess coverage of at least $5 million has been removed.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the insurance policy must include various types of coverage, such as comprehensive and malpractice coverage, and it outlines the defense obligations of the county board in case of lawsuits against school personnel. It also requires county boards to provide annual written notice of insurance coverage to all insured individuals, detailing the coverage limits and contact information for the Board of Risk and Insurance Management. The provisions of this section are extended to public charter schools that opt for insurance coverage under this law, ensuring that similar protections and responsibilities apply to charter school governing boards and their employees.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 29-12-5a
Engrossed Version: 29-12-5a