Raleigh County, WV (WOAY) – The State Board of Education has retained a law firm in response to a high-profile vaccine lawsuit in Raleigh County.
Miranda Guzman is suing both the Raleigh County and State Boards of Education over their mandatory vaccine policy. The State Board of Education is instructing county boards of education to not honor philosophical exemptions to mandatory vaccines, citing state law that only permits medical exemptions.
That’s at odds with an executive order signed by Governor Patrick Morrisey, who is supporting that lawsuit. Morrisey says state and federal law protecting religious liberty require the state to offer religious exemptions.
The legislature failed to enshrine that order into law in the last session.
In response to the lawsuit, the State Board of Education is retaining Charleston law firm Bailey and Glasser. The Board of Education says that while it has not been officially served, it is preparing to defend its position.
In a statement to media this afternoon, the board said it is following the law as outlined by the West Virginia legislature.
We are closely following this story and will continue to provide updates.
