Bill > SB667

This bill requires all public elementary and secondary schools in West Virginia to display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The poster must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, with text large enough to be legible from anywhere in the classroom. The specific text of the Ten Commandments is provided in the bill, using traditional biblical language that outlines moral and religious guidelines such as honoring God, respecting parents, and prohibiting actions like stealing, killing, and bearing false witness. If a school does not already have such a display, they must accept privately donated posters that meet the specified requirements. Schools with existing posters that do not meet the size and legibility standards may replace them using public funds or private donations. If a school has extra posters, they are required to offer them to other public schools. This legislation raises potential constitutional questions about the separation of church and state, as it mandates the display of a religious text in public school classrooms.