This bill proposes the addition of a new article to the Code of West Virginia, titled the "Parents' Bill of Rights," which aims to establish and protect the fundamental rights of parents regarding the upbringing, education, and health care of their minor children. The bill outlines several key provisions, including legislative findings that affirm the importance of parental involvement and the right to access information about their children's health and education. It defines "parent" as a person with legal custody of a minor child and emphasizes that any infringement on parental rights by the state or other entities must be justified by a compelling state interest and be narrowly tailored.

Furthermore, the bill enumerates specific parental rights, such as directing a child's education and moral upbringing, enrolling children in schools, accessing school records, and making health care decisions. It also allows parents to take legal action against violations of these rights, seeking remedies such as injunctive relief and monetary damages. The applicability section clarifies that this article will govern state and local laws and rules, ensuring that any new statutory law does not override the protections established in this bill unless explicitly stated.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-12-1, 49-12-2, 49-12-3, 49-12-4, 49-12-5