HB 178: Certified student support agencies; DOE to assess impact of developing program for students.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Department of Education; assessment; certified student support agencies; report. Requires the Department of Education (the Department) to assess the impact of developing a program to provide student support programs to students enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school through certified student support agencies, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the Department, in conducting such assessment, to consider (i) a framework by which a certified student support agency would enter into a memorandum of understanding with a school board for the purpose of providing student support programs, as defined in the bill, and suggested components of such memorandums of understanding, such as (a) documentation establishing the organization's nonprofit status, (b) a description of each student support program that such organization provides, (c) policies and procedures relating to privacy, background checks, mandated reporting, and the transmission, collection, use, and disposal of student personal information, and (d) consent forms and procedures to be used by such student support programs to obtain the necessary consent from the parent of any student under 18 years of age; (ii) the feasibility of establishing and administering a certification process for certified student support agencies; (iii) potential compliance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms and subsequent penalties for noncompliance to ensure that each certified student support agency complies with such program; (iv) policies and procedures for the secure disposal of a student's personal information upon such student's withdrawal from a student support program, upon the cessation of any such program, or upon such student's graduation or transfer from the school division; and (v) cost estimates, including staffing needs, for the development and implementation of such program. The bill requires the Department to submit a report on its findings to the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and Education and Health and the House Committees on Appropriations and Education no later than November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 190.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 13, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0573)
2. April 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 573 (effective 7/1/2026)
3. March 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
4. March 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
5. March 31, 2026Signed by Speaker
6. March 31, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB178)
7. March 30, 2026Signed by President
8. March 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB178ER)
9. March 30, 2026Enrolled
10. March 14, 2026Conference report agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
11. March 14, 2026Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)
12. March 13, 2026Conference Report released

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history