CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A bill introduced on the first day of the 2026 regular legislative session would require public schools across West Virginia to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
House Bill 4034 was introduced Wednesday by Delegate Phil Mallow (R-Marion). The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Education and then to the Judiciary Committee.
Under the bill, every public elementary and secondary school would be required to place a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in a conspicuous location in each classroom.
The display would have to be large enough and clear enough to be read by someone with average vision from anywhere in the room.
The legislation sets specific size requirements for the display, stating that the poster or framed copy must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall.
It also requires that the text of the Ten Commandments be displayed exactly as written in the bill, beginning with “I AM the LORD thy God” and listing all commandments in full.
If a classroom does not already have a display that meets the requirements, the school would be required to accept privately donated posters or framed copies, as long as they meet the size and text standards and contain no additional content.
Schools would also be allowed to use public funds to replace existing displays that do not meet the requirements.
The bill further states that if a school has extra posters or framed copies that are not needed, those items must be offered as donations to other public elementary or secondary schools.
If approved, the requirement would take effect beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.
