WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2025 REGULAR SESSION
Engrossed
Senate Bill 280
By Senators Azinger, Taylor, Thorne, Rose, Hart, Bartlett, Deeds, and Martin
[Introduced February 12, 2025; referredto the Committee on Education]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §18-36-1, relating to the display of the official motto of the United States in public elementary and secondary schools and in institutions of higher education.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
CHAPTER 18. EDUCATION.
## ARTICLE 9H. DISPLAY OF NATIONAL MOTTO.
(a) A public elementary or secondary school shall display in a conspicuous place in every classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the United States national motto, "In God We Trust”: Provided, That the poster or framed copy of the national motto described in this section shall contain a representation of the United States flag centered under the national motto and may not depict any other words, images, or other information.
(b) The requirements of this section are subject to the durable posters or framed copies being donated or sufficient donations being made from which the durable posters or framed copies can be purchased.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of code to the contrary, this section applies to public charter schools authorized pursuant to §18-5G-1 et seq.
## CHAPTER 18b. hIGHER EDUCATION.
## ARTICLE 14. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) A state institution of higher education, as defined by §18B-1-2 of this code, shall display in a conspicuous place in every classroom of the institution of higher education a durable poster or framed copy of the United States national motto, "In God We Trust”: Provided, That the poster or framed copy of the national motto described in this section shall contain a representation of the United States flag centered under the national motto and may not depict any other words, images, or other information.
(b) The requirements of this section are subject to the durable posters or framed copies being donated or sufficient donations being made from which the durable posters or framed copies can be purchased.