Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 563: Public elementary and secondary schools; parent's right to opt children out of certain ed. content.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 563 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Public elementary and secondary schools; parent's right to opt children out of certain ed. content. Primary sponsor: Glen Sturtevant (Republican). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (February 12, 2026): Passed by indefinitely in Education and Health (9-Y 4-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.
Parents of public elementary and secondary school children; fundamental right to opt children out of certain educational content. Provides that parents of public elementary and secondary school children have the fundamental right to opt their children out, without penalty, of any instruction, reading, discussion, presentation, including any audio-visual presentation, school assembly, or activity that includes any gender identity, sexual orientation, transgenderism, or drag show theme or content, and the elementary or secondary school shall make reasonable accommodations during such opt-out period. The bill also requires any public secondary school student who is 18 years of age or older to, by request of such student, opt-out, without penalty, of any such instruction, reading discussion, presentation, including any audio-visual presentation, school assembly, or activity, and requires the secondary school to make reasonable accommodations during such opt-out period.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Sturtevant | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 12 |
| Tammy Mulchi | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 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
- Passed by indefinitely in Education and Health (9-Y 4-N)
- Assigned Education sub: Public Education
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB563)
- Referred to Committee on Education and Health
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102633D