WV HB4656

Ends compulsory school attendance at age 18 (changed from 17), removing criminal penalties for students 18 and older who are chronically absent while requiring schools to advise them of consequences including potential withdrawal

Defines "chronic absenteeism" as absences reaching or exceeding 10 percent of instructional days, failed school interventions, inability to establish meaningful contact with parents, or absences adversely affecting grade-level progress

Creates a "student support specialist" position within county school districts to identify chronically absent students and develop strategies to reduce absences, replacing references to truancy officers throughout the code

Allows schools to refer students with five or more unexcused absences to the Department of Human Services for Wrap Around services upon recommendation of teacher, social worker, or principal

Eliminates truancy as a juvenile status offense effective July 1, 2026, instead allowing county prosecutors to petition circuit courts for protection of chronically absent students under 18 as "children in need of supervision" who cannot be placed in out-of-home placement or Bureau of Juvenile Services facilities