West Virginia’s New Law Empowers Parents with Expanded Rights
In a significant move to bolster parental authority, West Virginia has enacted a “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” aiming to formalize the rights of parents in the upbringing and education of their children. This legislation comes amid a national discourse on parental rights.
Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia signed into law House Bill 2129 on Monday, with the law slated to take effect on June 22. The bill enumerates specific rights reserved for parents, emphasizing their autonomy from interference by the state or educational institutions.
Key rights guaranteed under the new law 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.” Additionally, parents have the authority to choose between public, private, or homeschooling options for their children’s education.
The legislation also empowers parents with “the right to access and review all school records” related to their children and to make health care decisions, except when restricted by law. Moreover, it provides a legal framework for parental defense in court proceedings.
The bill gained traction in the Republican-dominated West Virginia legislature, passing the House of Delegates with an 87-9 vote and the Senate with a 32-1 vote. The votes largely reflected party lines, though one Democrat in the Senate joined the Republican majority.
Jordan Carpenter, representing Alliance Defending Freedom, commented, “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.” Carpenter further stated that the new law ensures parental freedom in guiding their children’s upbringing without government interference.
This development in West Virginia is part of a broader national trend where parents have sought legal action against school districts over issues of parental rights. Notably, cases in Florida and California involved parents suing districts for not disclosing their children’s gender identity choices or for failing to allow parental opt-outs from certain teachings.
In Florida, January Littlejohn filed a lawsuit against the Leon County School District, claiming the school collaborated with her daughter to conceal her use of an alternate name. Similarly, Aurora Regino sued the Chico Unified School District in California over comparable concerns. Meanwhile, in Colorado, a legislative proposal potentially affecting parental custody over disagreements on gender identity is advancing in the state legislature.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
