HINTON — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey held a ceremonial bill signing Wednesday for two controversial measures that reshape state policy on diversity programs and medical treatment for transgender minors.
Speaking at the Summers County Memorial Building, Morrisey praised the new laws as steps toward what he called “common sense” governance and the protection of children.
“We will lead with common sense, treat every citizen the same under the law, and protect children from making life-altering decisions at a young age,” Morrisey said.
Senate Bill 299 prohibits medical professionals from providing sex-change procedures — including hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery — to children under 18. The law also bars prescribing gender-related medications to minors via telehealth.
The bill’s signing was held in the home district of Sen. Vince Deeds and Sen. Jack David Woodrum, both of whom voted in favor of the measure after previously voting to allow pediatricians to prescribe “gender-altering” drugs to minors in 2023. The lawmakers reversed course following constituent backlash over their earlier positions.
Also in attendance was Sen. Tom Willis (R-16), who defeated former Senate President Craig Blair in the 2024 Republican primary. Blair joined Deeds and Woodrum in supporting the amendment allowing minors access to gender-related medications, a stance that drew criticism from voters and ultimately contributed to his primary defeat.
The second bill signed by Gov. Morrisey was Senate Bill 474, which eliminates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across state agencies, public schools, and higher education institutions. The law requires the removal of DEI offices and staff and directs universities to reallocate unused DEI funds.
The measures align West Virginia with a broader national push in some Republican-led states to limit DEI initiatives and restrict controversial sex-change experiments for minors.
