Creating truancy pre-trial diversion program

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Woelfel

Creates a truancy pre-trial diversion program to address chronic absenteeism with supportive interventions, diverting cases from court upon completion.

To Finance

#governor--billsrequestedby

Summary of SB 901 (Session: 2026, West Virginia) — Creating truancy pre-trial diversion program

Purpose and intent

Establishes a truancy pre-trial diversion program designed to address student truancy without immediate court adjudication.

Aims to provide an alternative pathway to court involvement for students with attendance issues, focusing on remediation and support rather than punitive actions.

Key provisions and changes

Creation of a state- or jurisdiction-wide truancy pre-trial diversion framework (details such as agency responsibilities and operating rules are presumed but not fully specified in the available information).

Programmatic elements likely include educational or welfare-based interventions designed to address underlying causes of truancy (e.g., family supports, counseling, attendance monitoring, and collaboration with schools).

Procedures to divert identified truancy cases from formal court proceedings into the diversion program, with pending potential for eventual dismissal or resolution upon successful completion.

Mechanisms for monitoring progress and determining program completion criteria, which may include attendance improvements, participation in support services, and compliance with program requirements.

The bill includes a pathway for returning to court if diversion components are not completed or if intakes reveal issues necessitating judicial involvement.

Who would be affected

Students who are chronically absent or truant and deemed appropriate for diversion rather than immediate court action.

Families and guardians of those students, who would participate in or coordinate with diversion services.

School systems, juvenile or family court services, and local or state agencies charged with administering the diversion program and delivering supportive interventions.

Potential service providers (counselors, social workers, attendance coordinators) contracted or allocated to support the program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Initial action history shows introduction and referrals to Judiciary, then Finance, with a committee substitute reported to Finance on February 25, 2026.

Likely legislative steps include committee deliberations in Judiciary and Finance, potential amendments, and floor consideration.

Specific timelines (e.g., duration of diversion, deadlines for completion, reporting intervals) are not detailed in the provided information and would be clarified in the bill text and accompanying fiscal notes.

Fiscal considerations

The bill has moved through committees that typically address budget and financial impact (Finance), indicating there could be fiscal implications related to program administration, staffing, and services.

A fiscal note or budget impact statement would clarify costs, funding sources, and potential savings from reduced court involvement or enhanced attendance outcomes.

Status and next steps

Filed for introduction on 2026-02-10.

Progressed through Judiciary and Finance committees, with a substitute reported on 2026-02-25.

Pending further committee action or floor consideration; final passage would depend on committee votes and budget alignment.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific stakeholders (schools, prosecutors, families) or extract potential fiscal figures and anticipated timelines once the full bill text is available.