WEST virginia legislature

2024 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 4863

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

[Introduced January 17, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Education]

A BILL 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 students to participate in their organizations 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.

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

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the Patriotic Access to Students in Schools Act. The bill defines patriotic societies. Finally, the bill provides for the opportunity to speak and recruit at public schools.

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