Kanawha County, WV (WOAY) – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has granted a petition to stay a circuit court ruling that would allow children to enroll in public schools without receiving mandatory vaccinations.
In an order entered just this afternoon, the Supreme Court says that enforcement of Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble’s order is to be paused while the state’s highest court considers the case.
Judge Froble entered his final order last week, ruling that school boards must honor religious exemptions to West Virginia’s mandatory vaccine law. The ruling would apply statewide after Froble ordered a class certification in the case.
The West Virginia State School Board said in a statement just minutes ago that it would once again be enforcing its vaccine policy and directed county boards of education not to accept religious exemptions to mandatory vaccine laws. That policy will remain in effect until the Supreme Court issues further guidance.
The West Virginia Supreme Court will now decide whether or not to uphold Froble’s ruling allowing religious exemptions to mandatory vaccines, or agree with the West Virginia Board of Education’s position that state law only allows for medical exemptions.
We will update you as we learn more.
