VA HB298

Public elementary and secondary schools must consider at least one evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice before suspending, expelling, or excluding a student, effective July 1, 2027

Exceptions to the restorative practice requirement include offenses involving firearms, drugs, or serious violence, as well as aggravating circumstances such as use of weapons, serious bodily injury, or repeated prior offenses

Evidence-based restorative practices include community conferencing, peer mediation, restorative circles, mentoring, and peer juries designed to repair harm and keep students in school

Schools must document in disciplinary records the rationale for choosing exclusionary discipline over restorative practices when applicable

The Department of Education must adopt guidelines and support materials by January 1, 2027, and annually collect and publicly report data on the use and effectiveness of restorative practices