West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB4987: Relating to the creation of the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act
Status: Introduced, January 30, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §18-36-1, §18-36-2, §18-36-3, §18-36-4, §18-36-5, and §18-36-6, relating to the creation of the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act; requiring all schools serving students grades six through 12 to provide to students at least one hour, or one standard class period, of evidence-based youth violence prevention training each school year; requiring all schools serving students grades K-12 to provide to students at least one hour, or one standard class period, of evidence-based social inclusi.
From the introduced text:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §18-36-1, §18-36-2, §18-36-3, §18-36-4, §18-36-5, and §18-36-6, relating to the creation of the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act; requiring all schools serving students grades six through 12 to provide to students at least one hour, or one standard class period, of evidence-based youth violence prevention training each school year; requiring all schools serving students grades K-12 to provide to students at least one hour, or one standard class period, of evidence-based social inclusion training each school year; requiring the West Virginia Department of Education to develop a list of evidence-based trainings and materials to fulfill the youth violence prevention training and the social inclusion training; allowing the West Virginia Department of Education to require all schools serving grades K-12 to designate a student-led violence prevention club; addressing costs associated with implementation; defining terms; and making requirements of article voluntary for public charter schools and nonpublic schools. ARTICLE 36. Safety and Violence Education for Students Act. §18-36-1. Student safety and violence prevention training. (a) The Department of Education shall require that all schools serving students grades six through 12 provide to students at least one hour, or one standard class period, of evidence-based youth violence prevention training each school year. The …