In perhaps the busiest year in memory for different homeschool-related bills, we are grateful that none of the bills ultimately passed the 2026 legislature. With this year’s session barely behind us, it’s worthwhile to take a step back and look at the big picture––the persistent opposition to homeschooling gains momentum each year. The summary below demonstrates the tenacity of the opposition and the many fronts on which the legislative attacks are made and the battles waged.
Raylee’s Law
Various bills and amendments attempting to pass a Raylee’s Law were offered throughout the session. Three bills got traction: SB 972, HB 5669, and HB 5537. Each featured procedural moves outside of the normal process that most bills take.
SB 972 was stuck in the Senate Health and Human Resources committee when supporters tried to have it “discharged” from the committee and brought before the full Senate for a discussion. Another motion was made to “table” the previous motion; this motion passed and the bill was set aside for this session. It is noteworthy that if only 5 of the 34 Senators had voted differently, the bill could have passed. Click here to see who voted to table SB 972. (Yes votes are votes AGAINST bringing the bill to the floor for a vote.)
After efforts to pass SB 972 failed, the House Education committee decided to try to move HB 5669. With the “crossover day” deadline imminent, supporters of the bill, including House Education chair Joe Statler (R-Monongalia), made a recommendation that the Constitutional Rule (Article 6-29) be suspended to bypass the three required floor readings of the bill. Thankfully, this can only be done with the approval of 4/5s of the House. The vote to suspend the Constitutional rule failed, effectively stopping progress of the bill. However, a simple majority did vote to suspend the rules––indicating that a majority of the House members would have voted to pass the bill had it come to the floor just two days sooner. Click here to see who voted to suspend rules and bring HB 5669 to the House floor. (Yes votes here are votes in FAVOR of bringing the bill to the floor for a vote.)
As this was all happening, another attempt at Raylee’s Law was in the offing as Delegate Fluharty had an amendment to HB 5089 pending. But for reasons that remain unclear to us, the amendment was never voted on and 5089 passed both the House and Senate without amendment.
At this point, it appeared that troublesome versions of Raylee’s Law were laid to rest in 2026, allowing an effort to work on a palatable version to offer in 2027 that might actually help vulnerable children like Raylee. But a final battle would ensue with HB 5537. The dramatic part of HB 5537’s contorted journey took place in the final hours of the 2026 Legislative Session and is recounted in a separate article.
Hope Scholarship
In another late move, the House Education committee offered a “committee originating bill” which again bypasses the normal opportunities for public review and input. This bill related to reforms in the Hope Scholarship program. Many had concerns about the bill’s cap on funding as well as cutbacks on what Hope IIP students could purchase through the Hope program. Others thought the changes were good and appropriate for the long-term viability of the Hope program. CHEWV voiced concerns about the increased testing requirements for Hope IIP students, partly for the precedent set and the singling out of IIP students. Ultimately, drastic cutbacks to the bill itself were made and nothing remained that could be viewed as negative toward homeschooling.
Homeschoolers Returning to Public School
We mentioned HB 5089 earlier in this article. The introduced version of this bill would have increased requirements for homeschoolers who intended to transfer into a public school. Homeschoolers, homeschool supporters, and others voiced concerns about the bill, and a “committee substitute” was offered which did not affect homeschoolers at all.
Truancy and Homeschooling
HB 5053 was introduced by Delegate Toney (R-Raleigh), the vice chair of the House Education committee. This bill would have established a 90-day waiting period for a child involved in an active truancy or pre-petition process to withdraw for homeschooling. The Education committee brought the bill up for discussion, but it stalled in the committee after opposition was raised related to due process and other missing protections.
Portfolio Reviewers
HB 4136, introduced by Delegate Pritt (R-Fayette), would have added requirements for homeschool (Option c.2) portfolio reviewers, including in-person training, plus certain other restrictions on qualifications for those reviewing portfolios. This bill was sent to the House Educational Choice subcommittee and never emerged for discussion—we assume thanks to the subcommittee chair, Delegate Kathie Crouse (R-Putnam).
Conclusion
CHEWV was monitoring six other homeschool-related bills that were introduced this session as well. As you can see, it was a very busy session for us.
We called for prayer on several occasions. Thank you for answering that call! And thank you for contacting legislators when we asked.
We also offer thanks to our co-laborers at HSLDA and WVHEA. We are especially grateful for the legislators who work so hard to protect homeschooling, so that we can continue to bring our children up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Above all, we thank our LORD God for His faithfulness to us, as we all strive so imperfectly to be faithful to His calling. May His purposes rule our hearts and lives. May all we do be for His glory and not our own!
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