West Virginia Enacts Parental Bill of Rights

West Virginia has enacted a “Parents’ Bill of Rights” during a portion in U.S. history where concerns over vast infringements to parents’ rights have increased.

House Bill 2129 was signed into law on Monday by West Virginia’s Governor Patrick Morrisey.

Numerous examples of rights within the bill are outlined, rights that are “reserved to the parent of a minor child in this state without obstruction or interference from the state, any of its political subdivisions, any other governmental entity, or any other state institution.”

The parental right to enroll children in public schools, private schools (including religious schools) or homeschool programs is secured, as well as “the right to access and review all school records” related to their children and “the right to make health care decisions” for their children unless they are prohibited by law.

Additional rights are outlined which include “the right to direct the education and care of his or her minor child” and “the right to direct the upbringing and the moral or religious training of his or her minor child.”

The measure ensures parents have more of a legal framework for a defense in any court proceeding.

The House of Delegates passed the measure in an 87-9 vote, with the Senate approving the measure with a 32-1 vote. Only one Senate Democrat joined the Republican voting block.

Jordan Carpenter, a lawyer with the religious freedom legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement, “Parents love and know their child best, and they have the right and duty to direct the upbringing and care of their children. In no world should the government intrude on parenting choices just because it disagrees with the parents.”

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