Bill > HB2186

This bill establishes restrictions on public higher education institutions in Virginia regarding grants, partnerships, and agreements with certain foreign countries deemed to be of concern. The bill defines "foreign countries of concern" as those listed as state sponsors of terrorism (such as Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria), non-allied nations (including China, Russia, and Venezuela), or countries determined by the U.S. Secretary of Education to be detrimental to U.S. national security. Public higher education institutions are generally prohibited from accepting grants from or entering into partnerships or agreements with these countries, unless their governing board or the State Council of Higher Education specifically approves the arrangement after determining it is valuable to the institution and students and not detrimental to the safety of the Commonwealth or the United States. The bill requires institutions to report any such grants, partnerships, or agreements to the General Assembly, Governor, and Council by December 1 each year, and establishes potential civil penalties up to $25,000 per offense for non-compliance. The State Council of Higher Education is tasked with establishing compliance mechanisms and may require periodic institutional reporting until any violations are remedied. Each institution's governing board and the Council must also adopt policies to implement these provisions.

Education

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2186