H. B. 4808


(By Delegates Doyle, Michael, Hall, Anderson and Leach)


(Originating in the Committee on Finance)


[March 2, 2000]



A BILL to amend and reenact section two-a, article two-b, chapter eighteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to multicounty vocational centers; creating an exception to the withdrawal prohibition; recognizing the circumstances for creating the exception; authorizing the county of Jefferson to constitute an area vocational program; requiring approval of the affected county boards of education; and, providing that students from the county of Jefferson remain eligible to participate in the existing local multicounty vocational center.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section two-a, article two-b, chapter eighteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended and reenacted, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2B. AREA VOCATIONAL PROGRAM.
§18-2B-2a. Withdrawal from multicounty vocational center prohibit.

Any No county, with the exception of Jefferson, which participates in the operation of a multicounty vocational center shall not may be permitted to withdraw from such that participation. In the case of Jefferson County, the Legislature hereby recognizes, based upon recent and historical demographic trends, that the continuing and substantial growth of population in that county has created unique and compelling circumstances that require the establishment of an area vocational education center solely to meet the demand and needs of residents of that county. The county of Jefferson, therefore, shall constitute an area vocational program which shall be available to meet the vocational training needs solely existing in that county: Provided, That the affected county boards of education approve the withdrawal pursuant to these provisions: Provided, however, That students from Jefferson County shall remain eligible to participate in the existing local multicounty vocational center.

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