WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2024 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 5290

By Delegates Holstein and Forsht

[Introduced January 29, 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 §5-28-4, relating to the creation of Holocaust Education Week in West Virginia.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 28. Commission on Holocaust Education.

§5-28-4. Holocaust Education Week.

(a) As described in this article, West Virginia is dedicated to acknowledging the historical and moral importance of the Holocaust. To best serve this ideal, West Virginia public schools shall observe "Holocaust Education Week" under the following conditions:

(1) Holocaust Education Week shall be scheduled for the last full instructional week of the month of January and shall be observed for at least five days during that week.

(2) Observance of Holocaust Education week shall begin in the 2024-2025 school year and continue each year thereafter.

(3) Holocaust Education week shall only be observed by students in secondary school.

(4) Holocaust Education Week shall not be required in every classroom and shall be limited to those classrooms where social studies and history are taught.

(b) The Commission shall notify all public schools before the beginning of each school year of the dates designated as "Holocaust Education Week" and encourage all state public schools to teach about matters concerning the Holocaust during this week.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create Holocaust Education Week in West Virginia.

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