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VA HB1195

VA HB1195
School bds., etc.; applicants for employment involving direct contact w/children in public schools.


summary

Introduced
01/14/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

School boards and independent contractors; applicants for employment involving direct contact with children in public schools; employment history review. Requires each school board and each independent contractor that provides services in any public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth to (i) require each applicant for employment whose position will involve direct contact with children, as that term is defined in the bill, in a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth to provide (a) the address and telephone number of and other any other relevant contact information for the applicant's current employer and any former employer that employed the applicant in a position that involved direct contact with children and (b) a written, signed statement as to whether the applicant has (1) been the subject of an investigation and finding or adjudication of abuse or sexual misconduct, as that term is defined in the bill, by any employer, state licensing agency, law-enforcement agency, or child protective services agency or (2) been disciplined, discharged, nonrenewed, asked to resign, or otherwise separated from employment or had a professional license or certificate suspended, surrendered, or revoked while such an investigation was pending or due to such a finding or adjudication and (ii) request, from each such employer, confirmation of the dates of the applicant's employment and a written statement as to the veracity of the applicant's abovementioned statement, to the best of such employer's knowledge. The bill requires each such employer to respond no later than 20 days after receipt of such a request. The bill permits any school board or independent contractor to use any information received pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) to evaluate an applicant's fitness to be hired and to consider an applicant's provision of false information or willful failure to disclose information to be grounds for declining to further consider such applicant for employment.

AI Summary

This bill requires school boards and independent contractors who provide services in public schools to thoroughly vet applicants for positions involving direct contact with children. Applicants must disclose their current and former employers where they had similar contact with children, and provide a signed statement detailing whether they have been investigated for or found to have committed abuse or sexual misconduct, or if they were disciplined, discharged, or had their professional license affected due to such allegations. Employers must then confirm employment dates and verify the applicant's statement to the best of their knowledge, responding within 20 days, and are protected from civil liability unless they knowingly provide false information. The bill also prohibits agreements that suppress information about investigations into sexual misconduct or hinder reporting to authorities, and clarifies that any such violating provisions are void. Additionally, it amends existing law to require school boards to notify the Board of Education within 10 business days if licensed personnel are dismissed or resign due to a conviction of certain offenses or a founded case of child abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Continued to next session in Education (Voice Vote) (on 02/11/2026)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1195
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1195) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127902.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1195/text/HB1195
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