The proposed Restoring Sanity Act aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by prohibiting certain educational practices related to race, ethnicity, and gender identity in schools and state institutions of higher education. It specifically forbids the instruction or requirement of concepts that imply any race, ethnic group, or biological sex is superior or inferior to another, and mandates that individuals should not be treated differently based on these characteristics. The bill establishes procedures for reporting and resolving complaints regarding violations, while also clarifying that discussions on these topics are permissible in an academic context as long as alternative theories are included. Additionally, it states that employees are not obligated to use a student's preferred gender pronoun if it does not align with the student's biological sex, and they cannot be held civilly liable for such decisions.

Furthermore, the Anti-Racism Act of 2025 complements the Restoring Sanity Act by setting guidelines for state institutions of higher education to prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and biological sex. It emphasizes the protection of free speech and expression, ensuring that debates or discussions are not suppressed, even if they may be considered offensive. The bill outlines specific concepts that cannot be mandated as factual beliefs, such as notions of racial or gender superiority and the obligation to feel psychological distress based on one's identity. It also prohibits the requirement of diversity statements in admissions or hiring processes and disallows preferential treatment based on identity factors, while reinforcing the ban on establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices within these institutions. Overall, the legislation seeks to reshape the educational environment by limiting discussions and training related to race and identity.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-9b, 18-5-29, 18B-1G-1, 18B-1G-2, 18B-1G-3, 18B-1G-4, 18B-1G-5, 18B-14-5, 18B-14-6