VirginiaHB2012026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

School boards; safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in the household.

Sponsored By: Laura Jane Cohen (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

School board policies; parental notification; safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in the household. Requires each school board to develop and implement a policy to require the annual notification of the parent of each student enrolled in the school division, to be sent by email and, if applicable, SMS text message, of (i) the importance of securely storing any prescription drug, as defined in relevant law, present in the household and (ii) the parent's legal responsibility to safely store any firearm present in the household. The bill also requires each parental notification to include information on (a) relevant state laws and regulations relating to safe firearm storage and child access to firearms and (b) firearm-related accidents, injuries, and deaths, including current statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or an equivalent nationally recognized entity or organization on youth firearm fatality rates. Finally, the bill requires each school board to make such parental notification available in multiple languages on its website. This bill is identical to SB 109.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

E-signatures and one consent form for parents

School boards may accept electronic records and e‑signatures from parents, as long as they follow state e‑signature law. A school board may also create one standard form to get parent consent to release student data. If it creates that form, local teams and the state Departments of Health, Social Services, Juvenile Justice, and Behavioral Health and Developmental Services must use it. This makes school paperwork and data consent simpler and more consistent.

No forced political handouts for students

Students cannot be required to carry or deliver materials that support or oppose a candidate, a referendum, or matters before local, state, or federal bodies. Classroom discussions, class projects, and informational materials are still allowed. School boards must have and enforce this policy.

Parents choose classroom placement for twins

If you have twins or other multiples in the same grade at the same elementary school, you can ask to place them together or apart. You must ask within three days after the first day of school, or within three days after your child first attends. The school must honor your request unless the superintendent decides otherwise after a principal’s request. After the first grading period, a principal may seek a change if the placement is disruptive or harmful.

Safety notices and pickup rules for parents

Within 30 days after school starts, schools must email and, if applicable, text parents about safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms at home. The notice must include state laws on firearm storage and child access, data on accidents, injuries, deaths, and youth suicides, help resources, current CDC or similar youth firearm fatality statistics, and be posted in multiple languages on the division website. Schools must also tell parents how to find the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry website. School boards must set clear rules for releasing a student to someone who is not their parent.

Stronger parent say on school surveys

Schools must get your written, informed consent before giving a survey at school that could lead to your child’s data being sold. For any survey that asks sexual, mental health, medical, drug, or other sensitive questions, schools must send you a detailed written notice at least 30 days ahead. You can review the survey and opt your child out. Schools cannot give sexual‑information surveys to students in kindergarten through grade six. Staff may not share personally identifiable student answers unless required by law.

Equal school access for Scouts

If a school division lets groups use facilities or hand out literature, it cannot deny the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts equal access. Schools are not required to sponsor these groups. The groups must still follow the division’s normal access and use policies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Laura Jane Cohen

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 216 • No: 102

House vote 2/25/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 64 • No: 33

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Education and Health Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 20 • No: 18

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/19/2026

Reported from Education and Health with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 35

House vote 1/28/2026

Reported from Education

Yes: 14 • No: 7

House vote 1/27/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 7 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0088)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 88 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB201)

    3/3/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB201ER)

    3/2/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/2/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/2/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/2/2026House
  10. Senate substitute agreed to by House (64-Y 33-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with substitute (20-Y 18-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  12. Education and Health Substitute agreed to

    2/23/2026Senate
  13. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    2/23/2026Senate
  14. Read third time

    2/23/2026Senate
  15. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB201)

    2/22/2026House
  16. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/20/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/20/2026Senate
  18. Rules suspended

    2/20/2026Senate
  19. Committee substitute printed 26108236D-S1

    2/19/2026Senate
  20. Senate committee offered

    2/19/2026Senate
  21. Reported from Education and Health with substitute (9-Y 6-N)

    2/19/2026Senate
  22. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/4/2026Senate
  23. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/4/2026Senate
  24. Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)

    2/3/2026House
  25. Read second time and engrossed

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

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