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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 471: Higher ed. institutions, public; financial aid for students with intellectual disabilities, etc.

In committee 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 471 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Higher ed. institutions, public; financial aid for students with intellectual disabilities, etc. Primary sponsor: Laura Jane Cohen (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 13, 2026): Stricken from docket by Appropriations (22-Y 0-N).

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 institutions of higher education; financial aid and assistance; transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities; eligibility for state-supported financial aid programs. Extends eligibility for any state-supported financial aid program or other higher education program to any individual who (i) is enrolled in an eligible transition and postsecondary education program, defined by the bill as any program offered by a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth to students with intellectual disabilities attending such institution that meets the criteria for and is federally designated as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program; (ii) is a student with an intellectual disability, as defined by the bill; and (iii) meets the other eligibility requirements for such program, except for certain enumerated eligibility requirements from which the bill exempts such individuals or for which the bill directs the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to establish alternative, equivalent standards for students with intellectual disabilities.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Laura Jane CohenPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse15

“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. Stricken from docket by Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
  2. Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (7-Y 0-N)
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB471)
  4. Assigned HAPP sub: Higher Education
  5. Referred to Committee on Appropriations
  6. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104131D

Sources

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