West Virginia (March 12, 1994) passed into law Senate Bill No. 42, signed by Governor Gaston Caperton, which prevents censorship of historical documents because of religious content.
Sponsored by West Virginia State Senators Tony Whitlow, Anderson, Miller, Claypole, Ross and Hemlick, this bill was also endorsed by the West Virginia chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America:
<Enrolled
Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 42
Senators Whitlow, Anderson, Miller, Claypole, Ross, and Hemlick) [Passed March 12, 1994; in effect ninety days from passage.]
AN ACT to amend Article 5, chapter eighteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section forty-one, relating to county boards of education; prohibiting the prohibition by county school boards of certain documents based solely on religious references; definitions; and criteria.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That Article V, chapter eighteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section forty-one, to read as follows: Article V. County Board of Education.
Section 18-5-41. Content based censorship of American history prohibited.
- No county board of education shall prohibit the use as an educational resource or teaching device any historical document related to the founding of the United States of America or any government publication solely because the document contains a religious reference or references: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 material must serve a bona fide secular educational purpose which does not advance or inhibit a religion or particular religious belief.
- (1) As used in subsection (a) of this section, the term "historical document related to the founding of the United States of America" shall include, but not be limited to, such documents as the Declaration of Independence and the United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.> 1994WV001
At the signing of the bill into law, Governor Gaston Caperton declared:
<This bill prevents censorship of historical documents based of religious references. Educational devices such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States will remain in West Virginia classrooms. Students in our state should have the opportunity...and the privilege...to study those documents that led to the foundation and tradition of our country.> 1994WV002
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
1994WV001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). West Virginia, March 12, 1994, passed into law Senate Bill No. 42, signed by Governor Gaston Caperton, sponsored by West Virginia State Senators Tony Whitlow (304) 487-8329, Anderson, Miller, Claypole, Ross and Hemlick, and endorsed by the West Virginia chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, Mrs. Edmund C. Stone, (304) 327-7783. Article V, County Board of Education; Section 18-5-41: Content based censorship of American history prohibited. Courtesy of Bruce Barilla, Christian Heritage Week Ministry (P.O. Box 58, Athens, W.V. 24712; 304-384-7707, 304-384-9044 fax).
1994WV002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). West Virginia, March 30, 1994, Governor Gaston Caperton, as he signed Senate Bill No. 42 into law, prohibiting censorship of historical documents because of religious content. Rose Roccisano, "Senate Bill 42, New State Law protects historical documents that mention God" (Huntington, W.V.: The Herald-Dispatch, June 4, 1994). Courtesy of Bruce Barilla, Christian Heritage Week Ministry (P.O. Box 58, Athens, W.V. 24712; 304-384-7707, 304-384-9044 fax).