Senator Brian Helton, R-Fayette, speaks on Monday, March 24, 2025, about a legislative template that would collect the anti-discrimination regulations adopted by city tears in West Virginia. (Becomes price | west virginia legislative photography)
Anti-discrimination regulations would be canceled in dozens of West Virginia cities, according to a legislative template that was passed by the Senate on Monday.
During a fiery debate about the measure, several Republicans spoke out against their party members and said it was an anti-local control and not the senators to override the decisions of the rightful city council members.
“This is stupid,” Senator Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, who represents several cities with anti-discrimination protection. “In West Virginia we would like to say:” Everyone is welcome. “I’m not sure if this helps with this message.”
Twenty cities and municipalities of Bethany, Fayetteville, Harper’s Ferry, Morgantown and Wheeling have passed anti-discrimination measures This offers additional protection for LGBTQ+ people, veterans and more.
The measure, Senate Bill 579 If municipalities that participate in the Home Rule program were no longer discriminatory regulations, the protected classes also contained what is shown in the state statute.
“There is one thing called West Virginia, and there is to prevent discrimination against people who are part of special protected classes,” said Bill sponsor Sen. Brian Helton, R-Fayette. This protection extends to employment, living space and more, he said.
“Uniformity of law is of crucial importance to ensure that all West Virgins are protected equally. A patchwork carpet of different local regulations creates uncertainty for individuals and companies,” he said.
Helton also said that local regulations offer transgender persons protection President Donald Trump And Governor Patrick Morrisey say that the government will only recognize two genders, female and male.
The state rule of rules of the state issued in 2007, allows eligible cities To Regulations separated from state law or rules as long as they are not in conflict with the US constitution, state constitution and A Only a few other guardrails.
In Morgantown there are regulations that prohibit LGBTQ+ discrimination and the application of the conversion therapy. City council members too said goodbye to a crown In 2021 prohibited discrimination due to natural hair. This draft law of the Senate, if it is signed in the law, would reflect all three local regulations.
“I am very disappointed with the legislature that this is not a value for West Virginia,” said Danielle Trumble, a member of the Morgantown city council for four years. “The house rule was set up for a small government. The changes they make do not support this.”
A coalition of local leaders from all 20 municipalities signed a letter that spoke out against the bill.
“The local government is a cornerstone of our democracy, which enables the communities to make decisions that reflect their values and priorities,” the letter says. “Each of our cities and cities adopted fairness laws through thoughtful considerations, often with cross -party support, in order to promote and inviting environments for residents, companies and visitors.
Senator Joey Garcia, D-Marion, repeated similar concerns about the Senate during the Bill debate. Fashionon adopted an anti -discrimination regulation in 2022.
“Local control is apparently only good if it is what this body agrees with, and that is completely against the idea of democracy at the local level,” he said.
Senator Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, represents Charleston and South Charleston, both of whom have passed anti-discrimination regulations. He voted against the measure.
“The simplest coordination that I will ever put in the Senate is to decide the voters,” he said. The local voters voted for their local city councilors to make these decisions for themselves. “
Bill Sponsor says that cities should not prohibit a conversion therapy
Helton expressed concerns about the regulations of the city that prohibit the operate of conversion therapy by medical specialists for children who question their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The city regulations that prohibit practice violate parental rights that may be looking for conversion therapy for your child, he said.
Calling therapy is A scientifically discredited practice of therapy to convert LGBTQ+ people into heterosexuality or conventional gender expectations. It is often Based on religious ideologies. Twenty -one states, including Kentuckyhave banned its operate.
“It essentially tries to hypnot a child to say that they are,” said Takubo, the doctor.
“Conversion therapy is damn close to child abuse,” said Senator Mike Woefel, D-Cabell, the positions of doctors, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Senator Scott Fuller, R-Wayne, spoke to support the law and said children should know that there are two biological genders.
“What we stand are the rights of the parents … We are Republicans, we are common sense,” he said.
Fairness West Virginia, a LGBTQ+ Advocacy organization, described the measure as an attack on the local decision -making and the “basicity of LGBTQ+ West Virginians”.
“West Virginia is our home. We deserve the right to live and work here without being afraid of discrimination. Our leaders should work to expand the protection for all residents and not to take them away,” said Andrew Schneider, Managing Director of Fairess West Virginia.
The draft law passed the Senate 24: 8, with six Republicans connected to the two democratic members of the Senate in order to oppose the measure.
“I am not always agreed with the city of Morgantown. At the same time, I respect their ability to take these measures,” said Senator Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, who voted against the law.
Trumble said Morgantown’s anti -discrimination regulation was a useful instrument in the city in promoting an inviting environment. It is one of the few parts of the state in which the population increases, she noticed.
“The majority of the people in Morgantown I spoke to, regardless of political affiliation, is proud that our community is welcome for everyone, ”said Trumble.
Weld emphasized that there was no current state problem that wanted to address this legislation.
“From all the problems that children promote, [child protective services]Wing, educational results, Peia, Hope scholarship and the financial burden It can create in our budget … and here we are today, ”he said.
The invoice now goes to the House of Delegate.
