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VA SB491
Bill
Status
Engrossed
2/12/2026
Primary Sponsor
Stella Pekarsky
Click for details
AI Summary
- Prohibits Virginia public schools from denying enrollment or educational benefits to any child based on actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status of the child or their parents
- Bars school boards, employees, contractors, and school resource officers from collecting immigration status information except when required by law, or designating such information as directory information
- Prohibits schools from threatening to disclose or disclosing immigration status information to law enforcement or immigration agencies, with exceptions for compliance with federal immigration information-sharing statutes (8 U.S.C. §§ 1373 and 1644)
- Creates a civil cause of action allowing aggrieved parties to sue for injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees, with a 15-day notice period for school divisions to cure violations before litigation
- Requires the Department of Education to develop guidance by August 1, 2026, on handling immigration-related warrants on school property, and mandates school board policy implementation by December 31, 2026, with administrator training completed before the 2027-2028 school year
Legislative Description
Public schools; right to free public elementary and secondary education, discrimination, etc.
Last Action
Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 31-N 0-A)
3/13/2026
Committee Referrals
Education: K-122/26/2026
Education2/18/2026
Finance and Appropriations2/5/2026
Education: Public Education1/22/2026
Education and Health1/13/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available