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SB 1064

Redefining "long-term substitute" as it relates to public school personnel

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Vince Deeds and 2 co-sponsors

The bill redefines what qualifies as a long-term substitute in public schools, potentially changing eligibility, pay, benefits, and how positions are tracked.

Chapter 274, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
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Bill Summary · SB 1064

Overview

SB 1064, enacted by the West Virginia Legislature in 2026 and approved by the Governor, redefines the term “long-term substitute” as it applies to public school personnel. The bill appears to adjust how long a substitute assignment must last to be classified under a long-term substitute category, with potential implications for eligibility, pay, benefits, tenure implications, and assignment tracking within public schools.

Purpose and intent

  • To redefine what constitutes a “long-term substitute” in public schools.
  • To clarify or adjust the criteria determining when a substitute teacher or staff member is categorized as long-term, with possible downstream effects on pay scales, benefits, seniority/tenure considerations, and assignment procedures.
  • To ensure alignment of the long-term substitute designation with current educational staffing needs and administrative practices.

Key provisions (what the bill would change)

  • Redefinition of term: The bill specifies a new threshold or criteria for when a substitute assignment is considered “long-term.” This could include factors such as duration (e.g., number of days), assignment type, or circumstances surrounding the vacancy (e.g., maternity/paternity leave, resignation, or approved leave).
  • Eligibility and status: The redefinition may affect who qualifies for long-term substitute status (e.g., substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, or other school personnel) and how they are categorized in district staffing records.
  • Compensation and benefits: If the long-term designation carries different pay scales, stipends, or benefit eligibility, the bill could modify these aspects to reflect the new definition.
  • Administrative processes: Changes may impact how school districts document, approve, and track long-term substitutes, including reporting requirements and payroll classifications.
  • Interaction with existing personnel rules: The redefinition likely interacts with state teacher/educator licensure rules, tenure/continuity obligations, and collective bargaining agreements to maintain consistency across personnel classifications.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts and the local education agencies responsible for staffing and payroll.
  • Substitute teachers and other personnel who may be categorized as long-term substitutes under the new definition.
  • District human resources departments and payroll offices handling classification, compensation, and benefits for substitutes.
  • Potentially, educators on leave who rely on long-term substitute assignments to fill vacancies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enacted as Chapter 274, Acts, Regular Session 2026.
  • Governor approved the bill on April 1, 2026.
  • Legislative history shows standard passage through both chambers with amendments and readings occurring in March 2026, including final adoption and transmission to the Governor before enactment.
  • Effective dates are not specified in the provided summary; typically, acting Acts specify an effective date (immediate, or a future date) in the text. Readers should consult the enacted statute for the exact effective date and any transition provisions.

Practical considerations

  • Districts should review current long-term substitute designations to determine if employees will be reclassified under the new criteria.
  • Budget and payroll offices may need to adjust pay scales or benefit eligibility accordingly.
  • Schools may need to update staffing policies, reporting templates, and data systems to reflect the revised definition.
  • Stakeholders, including substitutes and bargaining units, may seek guidance or clarifications on how existing assignments are classified during the transition.

If you’d like, I can extract the exact statutory language or provide a point-by-point comparison with the prior definition to highlight precise changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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