VirginiaHB2982026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Public elementary or secondary school students; evidence-based restorative disciplinary practices.

Sponsored By: Delores L. McQuinn (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Public elementary and secondary school students; consideration of evidence-based restorative disciplinary practices required; exceptions; report. Prohibits any public elementary or secondary school student from being suspended, expelled, or excluded from attendance at school unless the school first considers at least one evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice, as defined in the bill, except in the case of certain enumerated serious offenses or aggravating circumstances, as defined in the bill. The bill requires each school, any time it imposes exclusionary discipline instead of an evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice, to document in the student's disciplinary record, as a part of the school's existing disciplinary documentation practices and consistent with the guidelines adopted by the Department of Education (the Department) pursuant to the bill, the rationale for the decision to impose exclusionary discipline, including any factors supporting the decision not to utilize an evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice. The bill directs the Department to (i) add the use of evidence-based restorative disciplinary practices to the Student Behavior and Administrative Response survey in order to annually collect and analyze data on the use of such practices and publicly post an annual report containing an evaluation of the effectiveness of such practices based on the data collected and (ii) adopt and make available guidelines and support materials for considering, monitoring, and evaluating the use of evidence-based restorative disciplinary practices. The provisions of the bill prohibiting any public school student from being suspended, expelled, or excluded from attendance at school unless the school first considers at least one evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice and requiring each school, any time it imposes exclusionary discipline instead of an evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice, to document in the student's disciplinary record the rationale for such decision, have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Restorative steps before school suspensions

Starting July 1, 2027, schools must consider at least one evidence-based restorative practice before suspending, expelling, or excluding a student. There are exceptions for certain serious offenses and Board-identified aggravating circumstances. If a school excludes a student instead of using a restorative practice, it must record the reason in the student’s discipline record following state guidelines. Until July 1, 2027, this requirement is not in effect.

Clear rules for school restorative practices

The law defines evidence-based restorative disciplinary practices for public schools. It lists options like community conferencing, mentoring, peer mediation, peer juries, restorative circles, and similar programs. It sets standards focused on repairing harm, building relationships, balancing accountability with behavioral health needs, and using culturally responsive approaches. School divisions may also adopt other restorative or preventive practices if they follow these principles.

State training and annual discipline data

By January 1, 2027, the Department of Education publishes guidelines and support materials on restorative practices. It provides training and technical help to schools. The Department adds questions on these practices to its statewide behavior survey, collects and analyzes the results each year, and posts a public annual report. Data are aggregate and de-identified and follow student privacy laws.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Delores L. McQuinn

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 236 • No: 112

House vote 3/11/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 65 • No: 34

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Education and Health Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Education and Health with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 35

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 7

House vote 2/13/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 4 • No: 2 • Other: 1

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Education with substitute and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 6

House vote 2/10/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 7 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0586)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 586 (Effective - see bill)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB298)

    3/31/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB298ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Senate substitute agreed to by House (65-Y 34-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Education and Health Substitute agreed to

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/10/2026Senate
  14. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  15. Passed by for the day

    3/9/2026Senate
  16. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026Senate
  18. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB298)

    3/5/2026House
  20. Committee substitute printed 26108470D-S1

    3/5/2026Senate
  21. Reported from Education and Health with substitute (9-Y 6-N)

    3/5/2026Senate
  22. Senate subcommittee offered

    2/26/2026Senate
  23. Assigned Education sub: Public Education

    2/26/2026Senate
  24. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/18/2026Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate

Bill Text

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