The bill introduced on February 25, 2025, aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new article titled "Parents Bill of Rights." This article outlines the fundamental rights of parents, emphasizing their liberty to direct the upbringing, education, and medical care of their children. It asserts that parental rights cannot be denied based on disability and establishes that any infringement by the state or its agencies must meet a high standard of governmental interest. Additionally, the bill allows parents to sue for violations of these rights, seeking various forms of relief, including monetary damages and injunctive relief.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the applicability of the Parents Bill of Rights to all state and local laws, rules, or ordinances, regardless of when they were enacted. It includes provisions that ensure the article does not protect actions that involve child abuse or neglect, nor does it grant parents rights to access restricted healthcare treatments for their children. The bill aims to codify these rights while maintaining a clear boundary against actions that could harm children or violate existing laws regarding health and life.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-11-1, 49-11-2, 49-11-3