SHINNSTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed two school-related bills into law Tuesday morning at Lincoln Middle School in Shinnston.
Morrisey, surrounded by a handful of students and lawmakers, made the “In God We Trust” motto bill and the classroom cellphone ban bill part of West Virginia law.
The motto law requires the display of “In God We Trust,” accompanied by a U.S. flag representation, in all classrooms of public elementary, secondary and higher education institutions. The law also specifies the requirement for charter schools.
“A true and accurate retelling of civics and American life and history is going to set our students up to become engaged and very knowledgeable members of our society,” Morrisey said.
Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood, the bill’s main sponsor, introduced the bill for three consecutive years before it getting it across the finish line on the regular session’s final day. He spoke about the process at Tuesday’s bill signing. He said the new law sets right the history behind the motto.
“It was established by Eisenhower (President Dwight Eisenhower) and the Congress (in 1956) to be ‘In God We Trust’ and this comes from our history,” Azinger said.
The requirement is contingent upon donation or funding for durable posters or framed copies.
Governor Patrick Morrisey Signs Bill to Remove Distractions from the Classroom https://t.co/mqerFYznq4
— Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) April 29, 2025
Cellphone classroom bill
Morrisey also signed the cellphone classroom bill.
The new law will limit the use of personal electronic devices like cellphones in school classrooms during instructional time because of concerns about distractions and student well-being.
“We have to focus on the basics in the classroom and part of that means eliminating the distractions for both students and teachers,” Morrisey said. “The constant use of phones in day-to-day life–that’s actually been shown to limit age-appropriate development of relationships, of social skills and another necessary skills to be successful.”
Sen. Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, turned to the students in the room Tuesday and said the new law wasn’t anti-cellphone.
“Don’t take this as we don’t want you to use cellphones but we want you to learn how to use them responsibly, that’s what is going on here,” Taylor said.
The law mandates county boards of education to develop policies for the 2025-2026 school year for devices like cellphones and tablets, requiring counties to document offenses in the West Virginia Education Information System. The law allows for confiscation of devices for repeat offenders.
There some potential exceptions for students with an individualized education program, as well as for diabetic students whose cellphones are connected to medical aids like continuous glucose monitors.
At least 8 states, including California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia have enacted laws or policies that ban or restrict students’ use of cellphones in schools.
MetroNews Statewide Correspondent Brad McElhinny contributed to this story.