HB 912: Public schools; right to free public elementary and secondary education, discrimination, etc.

Official summary

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

Public schools; right to free public elementary and secondary education; discrimination based on immigration status prohibited; requirements; civil cause of action. Prohibits any child in the Commonwealth from being denied a free public education through secondary school on the basis of the actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status of the child or the child's parents, in accordance with the Constitution of Virginia and consistent with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The bill prohibits any school board or public elementary or secondary school from engaging in certain enumerated actions and practices that involve or result in the denial of a free public education, or denial of the benefits or exclusion from participation in any program or activity thereof, of a child on the basis of the actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status of the child or the child's parents. The bill also requires each public elementary and secondary school to develop and implement procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests from law enforcement agents to enter a public school or public school facility. The bill establishes a civil cause of action for any party aggrieved by conduct that violates the provisions of the bill, in accordance with the provisions of the bill. Finally, the bill directs (i) the Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board by August 1, 2026, guidance for school personnel on the requirements of the bill and training guidelines and materials for the training of all public school principals and administrators on compliance with the provisions of the bill, and (ii) each school board to (a) develop and implement by August 1, 2026, policies and procedures in accordance with the provisions of the bill and (b) require each public school principal and administrator to complete training on compliance with the provisions of the bill by the beginning of the 2026–2027 school year. This bill was incorporated into HB 836.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 9

“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. February 11, 2026Incorporated by Education (HB836-Rasoul) (Voice Vote)
2. February 10, 2026Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote)
3. February 5, 2026Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee
4. January 29, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB912)
5. January 13, 2026Referred to Committee on Education
6. January 13, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102214D