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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 653: Excused student absences; visitation of immediate family members on active duty military, etc.

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 653 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Excused student absences; visitation of immediate family members on active duty military, etc. Primary sponsor: Hillary Pugh Kent (Republican). Most recent recorded action (April 6, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0193).

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.

Excused student absences for visitation of immediate family members in connection with deployment. Allots five excused absences to any student whose immediate family member is active duty military and has received orders for, is on leave from, or has recently returned from deployment outside the United States for the purpose of visitation with such family member, provided that the student provides written documentation verifying such leave or deployment if requested by the local school division.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Hillary Pugh KentPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse67

“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 (CHAP0193)
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 193 (effective 7/1/2026)
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
  5. Signed by Speaker
  6. Signed by President
  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB653)
  8. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB653ER)
  9. Enrolled
  10. Senate amendment agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)
  11. Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
  12. Engrossed by Senate as amended

Showing 12 most recent of 38 actions. Full history

Sources

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