Bill

Bill > SB154


WV SB154

WV SB154
Prohibiting sexual orientation instruction in public schools


summary

Introduced
02/12/2025
In Committee
03/10/2025
Crossed Over
03/06/2025
Passed
04/12/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/30/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §18-5-29, relating to prohibiting instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity; setting forth definitions; creating exceptions to prohibition against instruction; prohibiting a public school and the county board employees assigned to the school from knowingly giving false or misleading information to the parent, custodian, or guardian of a student regarding the student’s gender identity or intention to transition to a gender that is different than the student’s biological sex; requiring a public school employee to report a student's request for an accommodation that is intended to affirm the student's gender identity from a person employed by the public school to an administrator employed by the county board and assigned to the school; requiring the administrator to report the student's request to the student’s parent, custodian, or guardian; providing that a complaint may be filed in pursuant to state board rule for violations of these provisions, providing that school personnel found in violation of this section may be subjected to discipline or dismissal pursuant statute; providing that the state board, in consultation with the Higher Education Policy Commission, shall promulgate rules to implement section; allowing the Attorney General to enforce compliance; and providing that the provisions of this act are severable.

AI Summary

This bill establishes restrictions on sexual orientation and gender identity instruction in West Virginia public schools, defining key terms such as "biological sex" (the sex listed on a birth certificate), "gender identity" (an individual's identification as male, female, or another category), and "sexual orientation" (an individual's perceived sexual orientation). The legislation prohibits instruction related to sexual orientation or gender identity, with specific exceptions: teachers may respond to student questions, refer to sexual orientation or gender identity when providing historical context, address bullying situations, or discuss the topic in advanced placement or dual enrollment courses. The bill requires public school employees to report to school administrators any student requests for gender identity accommodations, and mandates that administrators then inform the student's parent, custodian, or guardian about such requests. School personnel are prohibited from providing false or misleading information about a student's gender identity or transition intentions. Parents can file complaints for violations, and school personnel found in violation may face disciplinary action or dismissal. The West Virginia Board of Education, in consultation with the Higher Education Policy Commission, must develop rules to implement the law, and the Attorney General is authorized to enforce compliance. If any part of the law is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still stand.

Committee Categories

Education, Justice

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Approved by Governor 4/30/2025 (on 04/30/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=154&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
BillText http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb154%20sub2%20enr.htm&yr=2025&sesstype=RS&i=154
sb154 h edu am _1 adopted http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/com_amends/sb154%20h%20edu%20am%20_1%20adopted.htm
sb154 hfat ellington adopted http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20hfat%20ellington%20adopted.htm
sb154 hfa fehrenbacher 4-11 _1 http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20hfa%20fehrenbacher%204-11%20_1.htm
sb154 hfat ellington http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20hfat%20ellington.htm
sb154 hfa young 4-10 _1 http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20hfa%20young%204-10%20_1.htm
sb154 hfa mcgeehan 4-10 _1 http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20hfa%20mcgeehan%204-10%20_1.htm
sb154 h edu am _1 http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/com_amends/sb154%20h%20edu%20am%20_1.htm
sb154 sfa grady _1 3-4 pulled http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20sfa%20grady%20_1%203-4%20pulled.htm
sb154 sfa grady _1 3-4 http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20sfa%20grady%20_1%203-4.htm
sb154 sfa weld _1 3-4 rejected http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20sfa%20weld%20_1%203-4%20rejected.htm
sb154 sfa weld _1 3-4 http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2025/RS/floor_amends/sb154%20sfa%20weld%20_1%203-4.htm
BillText http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb154%20sub2.htm&yr=2025&sesstype=RS&i=154
BillText http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb154%20sub1.htm&yr=2025&sesstype=RS&i=154
BillText http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb154%20intr.htm&yr=2025&sesstype=RS&i=154
Loading...