sadams@newsandsentinel.com
State Treasurer Riley Moore talks about the advantages of his Jumpstart Savings Program for vocational programs and trades. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)
CHARLESTON — Making good on a campaign promise, a bill by State Treasurer Riley Moore to help West Virginians wishing to enter the trades made it through the House Education Committee on Thursday.
The committee substitute for House Bill 2001, the West Virginia Jumpstart Savings Program, was adopted Thursday afternoon, making it one of the first bills to head to the full House of Delegates.
The Jumpstart Savings Plan, similar to the State Treasurer’s Office SMART529 college savings program and the WVABLE program for West Virginians with disabilities, would allow residents planning to enter a vocational program or trade to save money. The Jumpstart plan would allow a person to use their money saved through the program to cover the costs of work equipment, occupational licensing, certifications, and startup costs.