House 5244

WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2026 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 5244

By Delegates McCormick, Dittman, D. Cannon, Kyle, Browning, and Hornby

[Introduced February 05, 2026; referred to the Committee on Education]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §18B-3D-9, relating to allowing the baccalaureate state colleges and universities to implement the Learn and Earn Program for a two-year pilot period.  

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 3D. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

§18B-3D-9. Learn and Earn Pilot Program for state baccalaureate institutions.

(a) The Legislature finds that the baccalaureate state colleges and universities, including the statutorily and administratively exempted schools, but excluding the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, would benefit from participation in the Learn and Earn Program set forth in §18B-3D-1 et seq.

(b) Therefore, the chancellor, under the direction of the council, in coordination with the commission and the baccalaureate institutions, will develop, implement, and administer the two-year Learn and Earn Pilot Program for the baccalaureate institutions beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, and continue through the 2027-2028 school year, in accordance with §18B-3D-1 et seq. and the rules promulgated thereto by the Council.

(c) Moneys appropriated or otherwise available for the Learn and Earn Pilot Program shall be allocated by line item to an appropriate account and kept separate from moneys allocated to the Learn and Earn Program for the community and technical colleges. Any moneys remaining in the fund at the close of the fiscal year are carried forward for use in the next fiscal year. Nothing in this section requires a specific level of appropriation by the Legislature. The council may allocate a reasonable amount, not to exceed five percent of the funds available for the Learn and Earn Pilot Program on an annual basis, for general program administration.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to expand the Learn and Earn Program to the state baccalaureate institutions for a two-year pilot period.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.