SB 659
Creating Parents' Bill of Rights
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
Senate Bill 659, the "Parents’ Bill of Rights," aims to establish legal protections for parents in West Virginia regarding their children’s upbringing, education, healthcare, and mental health. The bill asserts that parents have fundamental rights to direct these aspects of their children’s lives and outlines a process for challenging actions by state entities or institutions that may infringe upon those rights. It creates a legal framework for parents to seek redress if their parental rights are violated, including the ability to sue and use the bill as a defense in legal proceedings.
Key provisions
- Establishes a ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ as a new section of West Virginia code.
- Defines ‘parent’ as a legal custodian or legal guardian.
- Requires state entities to demonstrate a ‘compelling state interest’ and ‘narrow tailoring’ before restricting parental rights.
- Guarantees parental rights to education, care, upbringing, moral/religious training, and healthcare decisions.
- Grants parents the right to access and review school records.
- Allows parents to sue state agencies or officials for violations of the bill.
- Provides parents with the ability to raise the bill as a defense in legal cases.
- States that the bill applies to state and local laws, rules, and ordinances.
Who is affected
- Parents of minor children in West Virginia
- West Virginia public schools and school districts
- State government agencies
- Local government entities
- Healthcare providers
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