Debate over West Virginia religious vaccine exemptions continues in Raleigh County

BECKLEY, W.Va. (WOWK) — A Raleigh County Circuit Court judge heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit challenging West Virginia’s school vaccine requirements.

The case was filed in June by Miranda Guzman, who sued the West Virginia and Raleigh County boards of education, claiming vaccine mandates violate the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In July, Judge Michael Froble granted a preliminary injunction allowing Guzman’s unvaccinated children to attend school.

“We want all of the information. We believe that parents should be able to make an informed choice decision. We don’t believe in a population-based type of care. Every child is individual and everybody has a different set of circumstances,” said Chandra Adkins, president of West Virginians for Health Freedom. “That should be a part of every provider-patient relationship conversation, even when it involves our most precious of precious beings, our kids. And so, our group is going to support parents and their choices. They need to work with their providers and not be coerced by any kind of government mandate.”

Tuesday’s hearing focused on whether a permanent injunction will be given. The case has been consolidated with a separate lawsuit filed by Kanawha County parents, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which opposes religious exemptions due to risks to immunocompromised students.

“The cases were filed separately, and they were consolidated at the request of the attorney general’s office,” said Aubrey Sparks, legal director for ACLU-WV. “The basis for consolidation was an allegation that they arose from the same legal question instead of facts. We oppose that consolidation, but they were ultimately consolidated, and now the courts are attempting to hear these related issues together.”

Judge Froble has not yet ruled and proceedings are expected to continue this week.