Governor Patrick Morrisey Backs Lawsuit Against State Board of Education Over Failure to Uphold Religious Liberty

Beckley, W.V. – On June 24, 2025, Governor Patrick Morrisey reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defending the religious liberty of West Virginia families. This announcement comes as a new legal challenge is filed on behalf of Miranda Guzman, a Raleigh County mother suing the West Virginia State Board of Education and the Raleigh County Board of Education.

Guzman is seeking a religious exemption from mandatory vaccinations for her four-year-old daughter. Her request is grounded in her faith-based objections to the use of fetal cells to develop vaccines. Although Guzman and her daughter initially received an exemption under Governor Morrisey’s Executive Order enforcing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2023, the exemption was later denied by the Raleigh County Board of Education. 

Governor Morrisey made it clear that his administration will respect the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and give meaning to it. When the law is interpreted alongside the state’s current vaccine policy, the Governor explained that religious liberties must be upheld and called on schools to honor the religious exemptions.    

“As Governor, I will always defend the religious liberty of West Virginians, and I won’t allow unelected bureaucrats at the State Board of Education to stand in the way,” said Governor Morrisey. “Religious liberty is already enshrined in West Virginia law – and we are going to enforce that law.”

“West Virginia leads the nation in vaccination rates, and we can lead again—this time by proving that protecting public health and respecting parental rights are not mutually exclusive,” said Dr. Arvin Singh, West Virginia Secretary of Health. “With Governor Morrisey’s leadership, we’re restoring trust, transparency, and truth in how we protect our children.”