West Virginia school and library book laws
West Virginia SB 704 lets parents inspect classroom instructional materials and classroom books. It is not a full school-library collection statute.
West Virginia SB 704 (2022) created W. Va. Code § 18-5-27. Parents may inspect classroom instructional materials and books available for students to read. Required-reading titles belong on the syllabus. There is a complaint process. 2025 restriction bills (SB 202, SB 276, SB 278, HB 2272, and others) were tracked as dead. This is closer to classroom-collection transparency than a Texas SB 13 catalog-and-opt-out system.
Not legal advice. Confirm the enrolled text and any injunction before changing policy. LRS is informational and must not be the sole basis for removing books.
Bills and rules
| Measure | Year | Status | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 704 W. Va. Code § 18-5-27 classroom materials inspection Parents may inspect classroom instructional materials and books available for students to read; required-reading titles on the syllabus; complaint process. | 2022 | In force | Instructional materials |
How BookLooky LRS addresses the concern
- Classroom-set bulk scans give teachers a list parents can inspect alongside the physical books.
- Syllabus-required titles can carry official LRS badges so families see subject matter before the unit starts.
Story theme scores (including LGBTQ+ representation) measure presence in the plot. They are not warnings and are not a lawful stand-in for “harmful to minors.”