WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 3156

By Delegate Holstein

[Introduced March 15, 2021; Referred to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-14-12, relating to defining “Confucius Institute” and placing restrictions on a Confucius Institute relating to funding to students.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 14. MISCELLANEOUS.

§18B-14-12. Legislature findings; Restrictions on Confucius Institutes.

(a) Findings.-- The Legislature finds there are serious concerns relating to Chinese-funded cultural centers known as Confucius Institutes in the United States on college campuses that are being utilized for propaganda agendas that threaten academic liberty and free speech.  While the Legislature supports and encourages the learning and inclusion of Chinese culture, art, and history, and does not wish to diminish or discriminate against Chinese culture or Chinese people, it is important to understand that these Confucius Institutes often promote communist ideals and push the Communist party’s laws.

(b) Definition.-- As used in this section, the term “Confucius Institute” means a cultural institute directly or indirectly funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

(c) Restrictions on Confucius Institutes.-- An institution of higher education or other post-secondary educational institution in this state (referred to in this section as an “institution”) may not be eligible to receive funds from any branch of state government or under any provision of this chapter or code that are provided directly to students unless the institution ensures that any contract or agreement between the institution and a Confucius Institute includes clear provisions that :

(1) Protect academic freedom at the institution;

(2) Prohibit the application of any foreign law on any campus of the institution; and

(3) Grant full managerial authority of the Confucius Institute to the institution, including full control over what is being taught, the activities carried out, the research grants that are made, and who is employed at the Confucius Institute.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to define “Confucius Institute” and to place restrictions on a Confucius Institute relating to funding to students.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.