Senate Bill No. 620

(By Senator Snyder)

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[Introduced March 22, 2013; referred to the Committee on Government Organization.]

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A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §29-9-1 and §29-9-2; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-1-6c, all relating to requiring state agencies, boards, commissions and entities and Chapter 30 boards to give tests regionally; providing a waiver; and authorizing online testing.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §29-9-1 and §29-9-2; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-1-6c, all to read as follows:

CHAPTER 29. MISCELLANEOUS BOARDS AND OFFICERS.

ARTICLE 9. TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE AGENCIES.

§29-9-1. Legislative findings.

    (a) The Legislature finds that state agencies, boards, commissions and entities that administer tests predominately in Charleston do not serve a majority of the citizens of the state and in some cases make a hardship on the citizens due to the significant driving distance to Charleston.

    (b) Therefore, providing for the administration of tests at least regionally will better serve the citizens of the state.

§29-9-2. State agency tests required to be administered regionally.

     (a) Commencing July 1, 2014, all state agencies, boards, commissions and entities that administer a test or require a test shall provide for the taking of the test in at least three regional areas throughout the state in addition to Charleston: Provided, That if a test can only be administered in certain locations due to cost or other considerations, then the state agency, board, commission or entity may seek a waiver from the Governor which waiver shall be applicable for three years.

    (b) The provisions of this section may be met by providing the test online.

CHAPTER 30. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS.

ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL STATE BOARDS OF EXAMINATION OR REGISTRATION REFERRED TO IN CHAPTER.

§30-1-6c. Board tests required to be administered regionally.

    (a) Commencing July 1, 2014, each board referred to in this chapter that administers a test or requires a test shall provide for the taking of the test in at least three regional areas throughout the state in addition to Charleston: Provided, That if a test can only be administered in a certain place, then the state agency, board, commission or entity shall obtain a waiver from the Governor which waiver shall be applicable for three years.

    (b) The provisions of this section may be met by providing the test online.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require state agencies, boards, commissions and entities, and Chapter 30 boards to give tests regionally, provide a waiver and authorize online testing.

    Articles §29-9-1 and §29-9-2 are new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.

    Section §30-1-6c is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.