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VA HB912

VA HB912
Public schools; right to free public elementary and secondary education, discrimination.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Public schools; right to free public elementary and secondary education; discrimination based on immigration status prohibited; requirements; civil cause of action. Prohibits any child in the Commonwealth from being denied a free public education through secondary school on the basis of the actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status of the child or the child's parents, in accordance with the Constitution of Virginia and consistent with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The bill prohibits any school board or public elementary or secondary school from engaging in certain enumerated actions and practices that involve or result in the denial of a free public education, or denial of the benefits or exclusion from participation in any program or activity thereof, of a child on the basis of the actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status of the child or the child's parents. The bill also requires each public elementary and secondary school to develop and implement procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests from law enforcement agents to enter a public school or public school facility. The bill establishes a civil cause of action for any party aggrieved by conduct that violates the provisions of the bill, in accordance with the provisions of the bill. Finally, the bill directs (i) the Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board by August 1, 2026, guidance for school personnel on the requirements of the bill and training guidelines and materials for the training of all public school principals and administrators on compliance with the provisions of the bill, and (ii) each school board to (a) develop and implement by August 1, 2026, policies and procedures in accordance with the provisions of the bill and (b) require each public school principal and administrator to complete training on compliance with the provisions of the bill by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.

AI Summary

This bill ensures that no child in the Commonwealth can be denied a free public education through secondary school because of their or their parents' actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status, aligning with the Constitution of Virginia and the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. It prohibits school boards and schools from excluding children from enrollment or programs based on this status, or from collecting immigration information unless legally required, or designating such status as "directory information" (which is defined by federal law as basic information like name and address that schools can share without consent). The bill also prevents schools from threatening to disclose a child's or their family's immigration status to agencies, or disclosing it without direct knowledge or legal justification, with specific exceptions for federal law and information sharing with the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, schools must establish procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests from law enforcement agents to enter school property, including notifying and seeking consent from parents before a student is accessed for immigration enforcement purposes, unless a court order prevents it. Individuals harmed by violations of these provisions can file a civil lawsuit seeking damages and other relief, with the possibility of recovering attorney's fees. The bill also mandates that the Department of Education provide guidance and training materials to school personnel by August 1, 2026, and requires school boards to implement compliant policies and ensure principals and administrators complete training by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (9)

Last Action

Incorporated by Education (HB836-Rasoul) (Voice Vote) (on 02/11/2026)

bill text

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB912
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB912) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1100982.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB912/text/HB912
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