CHARLESTON, WV – Governor Patrick Morrisey has officially signed HB 2129, known as the ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights,’ into law, empowering parents with stronger rights regarding their children’s upbringing, education, and medical care.
Signed on Monday, this new legislation emphasizes the core role parents play in guiding the lives of their minor children. The bill ensures that parents have the fundamental right to make key decisions about their children’s education, health, and moral development.
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Under the law, parents are guaranteed the right to:
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Guide and oversee their children’s education and overall care.
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Influence the moral and religious upbringing of their children.
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Choose between public, private, religious, or home-based education options for their children.
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Access and review all academic records pertaining to their child.
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Make healthcare decisions for their child, unless restricted by other legal guidelines.
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Ensure that their parental rights are respected regardless of any disability.
While empowering parents, the law also specifies that these rights do not extend to actions involving child abuse or neglect, and it does not permit decisions that could endanger a child’s life.
Governor Morrisey’s signing of the ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ is a clear statement of support for parental authority in the state, reinforcing the belief that parents should have the autonomy to make important decisions for their children’s well-being.