WEST virginia legislature

2024 regular session

ENROLLED

House Bill 4863

By Delegates Espinosa, Householder, Hornby, Hite, Hardy, W. Clark, Hillenbrand, and Chiarelli

[Passed March 8, 2024; in effect ninety days from passage.]

AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-44, relating to the creation of the Patriotic Access to Students in Schools Act; defining patriotic societies; and providing for the opportunity to speak and recruit at public schools.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

§18-2-44. Patriotic societies; opportunity to speak and recruit at public schools.

(a) As used in this section, "patriotic society" means any youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code.

(b) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the principal of each public school in the state shall allow representatives of a patriotic society the opportunity to speak with and recruit school students to participate in their organization during school hours to inform the students of how the patriotic society may further the students’ educational interests and civic involvement to better their schools, communities, and themselves. Participation of students is voluntary and must not interfere with instructional learning.

(c) The patriotic society must notify the board of education of its intent to speak to the students.  Upon approval from the board the patriotic society shall provide verbal or written notice to the principal.  The principal shall provide verbal or written approval of the specific day and time for the society to address the students.

The Clerk of the House of Delegates and the Clerk of the Senate hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.

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Clerk of the House of Delegates

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Clerk of the Senate

Originated in the House of Delegates.

In effect ninety days from passage.

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Speaker of the House of Delegates

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President of the Senate

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The within is ................................................ this the...........................................

Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2024.

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Governor