Bill
Bill > HB404
VA HB404
VA HB404Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program; scholarships, administration.
summary
Introduced
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
In Committee
03/03/2026
03/03/2026
Crossed Over
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Passed
04/13/2026
04/13/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/13/2026
04/13/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program; parameters. Prohibits any such institution from passing the cost of any scholarship program established in accordance with the provisions of the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program to other enrolled students by increasing the rate of tuition or mandatory fees. The bill also requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to (i) establish a work group that consists of a representative of each institution that participates in the Program that meets at least semiannually to discuss Program administration, including sharing best practices on administration and research, coordinating funding and fundraising strategies, developing outreach and marketing plans, collaborating on historical and genealogical research efforts, and aligning government and community engagement initiatives, and (ii) develop and maintain a single statewide online portal that describes each institution's program, criteria, and investments in scholarship students or the community, lists designated points of contact at each institution, shares application timelines and processes, and offers historical context and ongoing memorial updates.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program to ensure that participating institutions, including Longwood University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Military Institute, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia, cannot increase tuition or mandatory fees to cover the costs of scholarships established under this program. It also requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to establish a work group with representatives from each participating institution to meet regularly to discuss program administration, share best practices, coordinate funding and fundraising, develop outreach plans, collaborate on historical research, and align government and community engagement. Furthermore, SCHEV will create and maintain a single online portal providing details about each institution's program, scholarship criteria, community investments, contact information, application processes, and memorial updates, all aimed at reckoning with the history of slavery in Virginia and providing tangible benefits like scholarships or community development programs to individuals and communities historically impacted by it.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Approved by Governor-Chapter 606 (effective 7/1/2026) (on 04/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404ER |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB404) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1205899.PDF |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB404) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127549.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404H1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404HC2 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404HC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404 |
Loading...