A Raleigh County judge has issued a permanent injunction requiring the West Virginia Board of Education to allow children with religious exemptions from vaccine requirements, following the Equal Protection for Religion Act of 2023. Governor Patrick Morrisey praised the decision, describing it as significant for families affected by compulsory vaccination rules.
“Today’s ruling is a win for every family forced from school over their faith,” said Governor Morrisey. “I will always take a stand for religious liberty and for the children of this state. I applaud the court for upholding West Virginia’s Equal Protection for Religion Act.”
The ruling directs that students who have obtained religious exemptions through the West Virginia Department of Health must be permitted to attend school. Currently, forty-five states in the U.S. offer either religious or philosophical exemptions to vaccine mandates.
Governor Morrisey urged legislative action following the court’s decision: “Now is the time for the legislature to act. I am calling on every lawmaker to step forward and solidify this freedom for every West Virginian,” Morrisey concluded.
