House 5020

WEST virginia legislature

2026 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 5020

By Delegates Sheedy, Foggin, Bell, Stephens, Dittman, Drennan, Moore, Canterbury, Crouse, and Kump

[Introduced February 02, 2026; referred to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §16-11A-1, relating to prohibiting those listed on the state sex offender database, convicted felons of sexual assault, or persons convicted of abuse of juveniles on public school property from entering public school facilities and attending public school activities and events; requiring parent-teacher conferences for those persons to be conducted off school grounds; and allowing the State Board of Education to promulgate rules.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 11A. prohibition of CERTAIN PERSONS on school property and at school sponsored events.

§16-11A-1. Prohibiting those listed on the state sex offender database, convicted felons of sexual assault, or persons convicted of abuse of juveniles from entering school property or attending public school activities and events.

Without permission of the county superintendent:

(a) No person having been found guilty of crimes sufficient to be placed on the state sex offender's database, a convicted felon of sexual assault, or a person convicted of abuse of juveniles shall be permitted to enter school property, attend any public school function, or attend or participate in public school or athletic events in any capacity, regardless of participation by offender's own children.

(1) A first violation of this statute shall be a misdemeanor upon first violation, punishable by not more than six months imprisonment; and

(2) A second or any other subsequent violation shall constitute a felony punishable by one to five years imprisonment.

(b) In the event that a parent teacher conference is required to be conducted with a parent or guardian who is listed on the sex offender database, that conference must be conducted by telephone or virtual meeting.

(c) The State Board of Education may promulgate rules in accordance with this article.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit those listed on the state sex offender database, convicted felons of sexual assault, or persons convicted of abuse of juveniles from entering school property or attending public school activities and events. The bill also requires parent teacher conferences for those persons to be conducted off school grounds. Finally, the bill permits the State Board of Education to promulgate rules.

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