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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 38: Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction, requirements.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 38 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on December 23, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction, requirements. Primary sponsor: J.R. Henson (Democratic). It lists 16 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 2, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0047).

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

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

Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction; requirements. Requires each teacher and other relevant personnel, as determined by the applicable school board, employed on a full-time basis to complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders in accordance with evidence-based best practices developed by the American Psychological Association. Current law requires such teachers and personnel to complete mental health awareness training but does not contain any requirements relating to the specific topics such training must address. The bill prohibits any of its provisions or any policy adopted in accordance with its provisions from being construed to permit biased or discriminatory treatment of any youth population deemed to be at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 15

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
J.R. HensonPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse19
Bonita AnthonyCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse92
Elizabeth Bennett-ParkerCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate39
Gretchen M. BulovaCo-sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Katrina CallsenCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse54
Nadarius ClarkCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse84
Josh ColeCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse65
Margaret A. FranklinCo-sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Debra GardnerCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse76
Jackie GlassCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse93
Cliff HayesCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse91
Karen Keys-GamarraCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse7
Alfonso LopezCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse3
Garrett McGuireCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse17
Cia PriceCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse85
Irene ShinCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse8
Kathy TranCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse18

“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. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0047)
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 47 (effective 7/1/2026)
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
  5. Signed by President
  6. Signed by Speaker
  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB38)
  8. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB38ER)
  9. Enrolled
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
  11. Read third time
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Showing 12 most recent of 27 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source