{"data":{"id":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-18-34-2","jurisdiction":"us-wv","citation":"W. Va. Code § 18-34-2","heading":"Policy enacted.","body":"(a) A student’s absence due to a student’s pregnancy or parenting needs is an excused absence as provided under this section and for purposed of §18-8-4(a)(1) of this code.\n(b) The State Board of Education shall develop a written attendance policy for pregnant and parenting students that, at a minimum, meets the requirements of this article. The policy developed under this section shall:\n(1) Excuse all absences due to pregnancy or parenting-related conditions, including absences for:\n(A) Labor;\n(B) Delivery;\n(C) Recovery; and\n(D) Prenatal and postnatal medical appointments;\n(2) Provide at least 8 weeks of excused absences for a mother for the birth of the student’s child, including both natural/vaginal delivery and c-section delivery;\n(3) Provide excused absences for antenatal care by recommendation of the medical provider;\n(4) Provide two weeks excused absence for the father of the child;\n(A) A doctor’s or medical excuse shall be provided up to the initial 8 weeks' absence and a separate excuse for each period of absence after the initial 8 weeks.\n(B) County boards shall make reasonable efforts to encourage the parent to remain on track for graduation by providing academic support options including, but not limited to, work provided virtually and a homebound instructor for weekly visits to ensure accountability.\n(5) Provide an excused absence for parenting students whose children are sick: Provided, That they shall provide a doctor’s excuse for that child.\n(6) The schools shall refer the pregnant and parenting student to a \"pregnancy help organization\" by providing a list of pregnancy or postpartum assistance organizations within the county and surrounding counties as defined under §16-66-1 of this code.","path":["CHAPTER 18. EDUCATION.","ARTICLE 34. LAKEN'S LAW."],"source_url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/18-34-2/","current_through":"as of 2026-08-03; contains at least the enactments of the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T00:24:55Z","sha256":"70422573be5140c6a421717c299ec5dcbec146c225401b183f4da970c11b83a0","source_id":"us-wv","stale":true,"prev":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-18-34-1","next":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-18-34-3"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}