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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill Requires Ten Commandments Posters in Every Public School Classroom
Last action · January 14, 2026: To House EducationSponsor: Phil Mallow
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia House Bill 4034 requires all public elementary and s to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Public schools across West Virginia must allocate space in every classroom for specific religious text displays, accepting private donations to meet the mandate if public funds are not used.
- The West Virginia Legislature is the state's bicameral lawmaking body consisting of the House of Delegates and the Senate. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
public elementary and secondary schools
Schools must display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, accept qualifying private donations, and offer surplus posters to other schools.
students
Key Facts
- Public elementary and secondary schools must display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in a conspicuous place in each classroom.
- The poster or framed copy must measure at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall with legible text from anywhere in the classroom.
- The required text must follow the exact specified wording provided in subsection (c) of the bill.
- Schools must accept any offer of a privately donated poster or framed copy that meets the size and text requirements without extra content.
Show all 7 facts
- Schools with non-compliant posters may replace them using public funds or private donations.
- Unneeded posters in a school's possession must be offered as a donation to another public school.
- The requirements apply beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the physical dimensions required for the Ten Commandments display?
Can schools accept donated posters?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Jan 14, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Education
- Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Jan 14, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Education then Judiciary
- Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Classroom Religious Displays
The bill introduces a new statutory mandate requiring specific religious text displays in every public school classroom across the state.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 60)
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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