West Virginia § 18-5-41 Content based censorship of American history prohibited

West Virginia Statutes

§ 18-5-41 — Content based censorship of American history prohibited

West Virginia § 18-5-41

Ch. 18EDUCATION

Art. 5COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

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Bluebook

W. Va. Code § 18-5-41 (2026).

Text

(a)No county board of education shall prohibit the use as an educational resource or teaching device any historical document related to the founding of the United States of America or any government publication solely because the document contains a religious reference or references: Provided, That the use of such materials must serve a bona fide secular educational purpose which does not advance or inhibit a religion or particular religious belief.

(b)(1) As used in subsection (a) of this section, the term "historical document related to the founding of the United States of America" shall include, but not be limited to, such documents as the declaration of independence and the United States Constitution.

(2)As used in subsection (a) of this section, the term "government publication"

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(a) No county board of education shall prohibit the use as an educational resource or teaching device any historical document related to the founding of the United States of America or any government publication solely because the document contains a religious reference or references: Provided, That the use of such materials must serve a bona fide secular educational purpose which does not advance or inhibit a religion or particular religious belief.

(b) (1) As used in subsection (a) of this section, the term "historical document related to the founding of the United States of America" shall include, but not be limited to, such documents as the declaration of independence and the United States Constitution.

(2) As used in subsection (a) of this section, the term "government publication" shall include, but not be limited to, such documents as decisions of the United States supreme court and acts of Congress.

(c) In determining the purpose of the use of a document containing a reference to a deity or a religion, consideration shall be given to the overall context of the document's use.