VirginiaHB382026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction, requirements.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction; requirements. Requires each teacher and other relevant personnel, as determined by the applicable school board, employed on a full-time basis to complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders in accordance with evidence-based best practices developed by the American Psychological Association. Current law requires such teachers and personnel to complete mental health awareness training but does not contain any requirements relating to the specific topics such training must address. The bill prohibits any of its provisions or any policy adopted in accordance with its provisions from being construed to permit biased or discriminatory treatment of any youth population deemed to be at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

School staff must take mental health training

Every school board must require each full-time teacher and other relevant staff to complete mental health awareness training at least once. The training must follow evidence-based best practices from the American Psychological Association. It must cover high-risk student groups, including students bereaved by suicide; students with mental or physical disabilities or chronic health conditions (including substance use disorders); students who are homeless or face housing instability; students in foster care or in unstable living situations; and students who identify as LGBTQ+. The law does not allow biased or discriminatory treatment of any high-risk student group. School boards must provide the training and can use the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, community services boards, behavioral health authorities, nonprofits, or other certified trainers. The training can be delivered online.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 63

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Education and Health

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 1/27/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 68 • No: 31

House vote 1/21/2026

Reported from Education

Yes: 16 • No: 6

House vote 1/20/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0047)

    4/2/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 47 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/2/2026Governor
  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 (HB38)

    3/6/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB38ER)

    3/6/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/6/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/6/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/6/2026House
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/2/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/27/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/27/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Education and Health (9-Y 6-N)

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

    2/19/2026Senate
  17. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB38)

    1/30/2026House
  18. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    1/28/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    1/28/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed House (68-Y 31-N 0-A)

    1/27/2026House
  21. Read second time and engrossed

    1/26/2026House
  22. Read first time

    1/23/2026House
  23. Reported from Education (16-Y 6-N)

    1/21/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)

    1/20/2026House
  25. Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee

    1/19/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation