The House convened this morning to pass Senate Bill 359, which would reform the state’s education system. An extended school calendar, a greater emphasis on qualifications for new teachers being hired, and less of adding planning time for teachers are some of the aspects of the legislation. The bill, which passed the Senate on Monday, is the second bill this session to pass both chambers.

The House also passed eleven other bills, including House Bill 2534, which would require pawn shops to see photo identification when purchasing items.

House Bill 2463, which would remove the part of the state code allowing the sterilization of persons considered mentally incompetent, was read for the second time. On first reading were four bills, including House Bill 2583, which would establish a uniform system for sexual assault forensic examinations.

House Concurrent Resolution 12, which would make March 31st “West Virginia State Trooper Day,” and HCR 17, which would create the "State Police Cpl. Marshall Lee Bailey and Trooper Eric Michael Workman Memorial Interchange" in Clay County, were both adopted unanimously.

The House will reconvene on Monday, March 25, 2013, at 11am.

Committees meeting Monday:

House Finance Committee - 9:15am - 460M
House Health and Human Resources Committee - 10am - 215E