The West Virginia State Legislature convened on March 4, 2025, to introduce Senate Bill 667, a legislative proposal aimed at mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public elementary and secondary school classrooms. This bill seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, §18-33-9, which outlines specific requirements for the posters or framed copies of the Ten Commandments that must be displayed in a conspicuous location within each classroom.

The key provisions of Senate Bill 667 stipulate that each poster or framed copy must be durable, legible from anywhere in the classroom, and adhere to minimum size specifications of at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall. The text of the Ten Commandments is explicitly defined within the bill, ensuring uniformity in what is displayed across schools. Furthermore, the bill mandates that schools without such displays must accept privately donated copies that meet the outlined criteria and encourages the replacement of non-compliant posters using public funds or private donations.

Debate surrounding the bill has already begun, with proponents arguing that it promotes moral values and religious heritage, while opponents raise concerns about the separation of church and state, fearing that the bill may infringe on the rights of students from diverse religious backgrounds. Critics also question the appropriateness of religious texts in public education settings, suggesting that it could lead to legal challenges based on constitutional grounds.

The implications of Senate Bill 667 extend beyond the classroom. If enacted, the bill could spark significant discussions about religious expression in public schools, potentially influencing similar legislative efforts in other states. Experts in constitutional law have noted that the bill may face scrutiny in courts, particularly regarding the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, its future remains uncertain. The West Virginia State Legislature will continue to deliberate on the bill, with potential amendments and public hearings likely to shape its final form. The outcome of Senate Bill 667 could set a precedent for how religious texts are treated in public education, making it a focal point of both legal and social discourse in the coming months.