CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A newly introduced bill in the West Virginia House of Delegates would prohibit public school districts and supervisors from taking disciplinary action against school employees for opinions they express on social media or in other public forums.
House Bill 5339, introduced for the 2026 regular session, would add a new section to the state’s Teachers Bill of Rights to block what it calls retaliation tied to personal viewpoints shared online or publicly. The measure states that no district or supervisor could take “adverse action” against a public school employee based solely on expressed opinions.
The proposal also specifies that allegations of slander or libel against an employee could not be handled through job-related discipline or employment action, separating those claims from workplace punishment.
If approved, the bill would apply to public school employees statewide and set clearer limits on how districts respond to off-duty speech posted on social media platforms or shared in public settings.
House Bill 5339 has been introduced and referred to the House Education Committee for review.
