West VirginiaWest Virginia defines which school substitutes count as long-term
West Virginia counts school substitutes as long-term after more than 30 consecutive days of instruction, including when they cover for an absent employee.
What it does
School substitutes count as long-term when they fill a position for more than 30 consecutive days of instruction, whether the job is vacant or its regular employee is absent.
The credential and twice-yearly posting rules refer to long assignments in full-time jobs filled by substitutes. The sentence does not clearly explain how broadly those rules apply.
Retired workers hired to fill vacant school jobs are excluded from the long-term substitute definition for one separate law, Section 5-16-2. The exception has that limited scope.
Argument forFor covered full-time assignments, requiring the proper state credential could help schools match substitutes' qualifications to the work they will do.
Argument againstFor covered full-time assignments, requiring a state credential could limit the pool of substitutes schools can hire for extended work.
More detail
The law counts a substitute as long-term after more than 30 consecutive days of instruction in a position. The definition covers substitute employees in West Virginia public schools. The position may be vacant, or its regular employee may be absent. The law took effect June 12, 2026.
The law requires the proper state credential for the long-term assignments it describes and limits required job postings. The sentence refers to regular full-time jobs filled by substitutes rather than regular full-time employees. It does not clearly explain how these limits connect to each rule. The assignment is expected to exceed 30 consecutive days of instruction. The substitute must hold the appropriate credential issued under State Board rules. The sentence says postings are required only once at the beginning of the year and once mid-year.
Retired employees filling vacant positions do not count as long-term substitutes for purposes of Section 5-16-2. The exception covers retired employees hired to fill vacant school positions. The exclusion applies only for purposes of Section 5-16-2.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 25Chapter 274, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 19To Governor 3/19/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to House
- Mar 14Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 711)
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14Passed House (Roll No. 629)Passed House
- Mar 14Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 14Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 14Amendment ruled not germane
- Mar 14Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Mar 14Reported by the Clerk
- Mar 14On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 13On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 12Amendments pending
- Mar 12Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 11Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 11On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 10With amendment, do passMinor
- Mar 6Markup Discussion
- Mar 3To House EducationMinor
- Mar 3To EducationMinor
- Mar 3Introduced in HouseMinor
- Mar 3House received Senate message
- Mar 2Ordered to House
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Passed Senate (Roll No. 289)Passed Senate
- Mar 2Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 2On 3rd reading
- Feb 27Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 27On 2nd reading
- Feb 26Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 26Immediate consideration
- Feb 26Reported do passMinor
- Feb 23To EducationMinor
- Feb 23Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 23To EducationMinor
- Feb 23Filed for introductionIntroduced
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