Introduced Version
House Bill 3143 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 3143
(By Delegate Manchin)
[Introduced
March 25, 2013
; referred to the
Committee on Education then Finance.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-8b, relating to
creating an environmental awareness program in the West
Virginia School system to educate students regarding
recycling.
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 section, designated §18-2-8b, to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 2. State Board of Education.
§18-2-8b. Recycling and environmental awareness program.
_____(a) The Legislature finds that:
_____(1) Recycling and environmental awareness are important parts
of West Virginia's economy, culture and future;
_____(2) Education regarding the recycling process and an
opportunity to become educated regarding environmental issues
effecting the State of West Virginia in the West Virginia school
system is currently not required;
_____(3) Students should receive an education containing valuable
environmental information that is intended to encourage recycling
and preserve the state's natural resources; and
_____(4) The opportunity to participate in an environmental lesson,
program, or course should be offered to students in certain grades
to achieve the purpose of environmental awareness and encourage
recycling.
_____(b) The State Board of Education shall, with the advice of the
State Superintendent of Schools and the Director of the Division of
Natural Resources, promulgate rules in accordance with this
subsection.
_____(1) An environmental awareness program shall be offered to
students in any grade, first through twelfth, over a one to two-
week period during the school year as part of a science or
economics class. In the alternative, an environmental awareness
program shall be offered as a course in part of the general
curriculum offered to students or be offered as a class at the end
of the school day.
_____(2) An environmental awareness program shall include
instruction related to:
_____(A) The protection of our natural resources against improper
disposal of wastes including, but not limited to, plastics, paper,
metals, electronics and batteries; and
_____(B) The process of recycling, its impact on health and the
environment, and the resulting economic benefits of recycling; and
_____(C) The method of how to start and maintain a recycling
program at school or at home.
_____(3) An environmental awareness program may use materials
prepared by any national nonprofit membership organization whose
purpose includes the instruction of citizens about the recycling
process and how to protect the state's natural resources.
_____(4) An environmental awareness program shall be conducted by
an instructor educated on environmental issues as determined by the
State Board of Education.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require an environment
awareness program to educate students about the benefits of
recycling.
This section is new; therefore, it has been completely
underscored.