VirginiaHB4272026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Uniform, comprehensive data information system; info on self-identified students who are parents.

Sponsored By: Destiny LeVere Bolling (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; uniform, comprehensive data information system; information on self-identified students who are parents. Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to include in its uniform, comprehensive data information system information on self-identified students who are parents, as that term is defined in relevant law.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Easier transfer and community college paths

Community colleges and public four‑year schools must use clear transfer and admission agreements. Each community college offers a one‑year Uniform Certificate of General Studies and a one‑semester Passport that transfers. All public four‑year colleges must adopt dual admissions with community colleges. The council also reviews college enrollment projections and degree estimates to guide planning. These steps make transfer more predictable and can cut time and cost to finish a degree.

Planning for health career training

The council plans and coordinates all postsecondary health‑profession programs. It can recommend financing and run studies to ensure enough high‑quality training. State agencies must cooperate. This supports a steady pipeline of trained health workers.

Statewide college data and results tracking

The council runs a single statewide data system that tracks admissions, enrollment, student‑parent status, and other measures. It can work with agencies and private partners to create de‑identified records to study outcomes, while following state and federal privacy laws. The council also runs the Virginia Longitudinal Data System with other agencies. Public colleges must assess student achievement under council guidelines, and results feed into statewide planning.

Stronger state oversight of colleges

The state council now leads a statewide higher‑education plan and updates it at least every six years. It reviews and must approve new programs, department or branch creations, and any mission changes or moves to higher degree levels. It can require ending programs it finds nonproductive or duplicative and reviews closures in high‑demand fields, with closures and some space changes delayed until 30 days after the next General Assembly adjourns following the report. The council studies campuses, reviews space inventory changes every two years, and helps manage orderly closures when needed. It cannot change missions set by the General Assembly or control faculty hiring or admissions standards.

Uniform finance and reporting for colleges

The council, with state finance officials, sets uniform accounting, recordkeeping, and statistical reporting standards for public colleges. It also provides periodic updates to base‑adequacy funding guidelines used in state budgeting. These steps improve transparency and guide funding talks, but they also add common reporting duties for institutions.

Better K-12 to college alignment

The council works with the Board of Education to align college admission rules, teacher training, and the Board’s six‑year technology plan. It also helps collect and prepare information for high school students about college and training options. This helps families compare programs and make better choices after high school.

Stronger protections for student records

Colleges must follow council guidelines, consistent with FERPA, for sharing a student’s academic and discipline records with parents when federal law allows it. If a Virginia college formed after July 1, 1980 closes or loses approval, the council secures and preserves student transcripts and can place them with another institution. These steps protect access to records students need for jobs and transfers. The law does not allow unlawful release of records.

Council can set rules and coordinate

The council can adopt policies and regulations, and public colleges must follow them. It serves as the coordinating council, seeks advice from institutions, and aims to preserve each college’s identity. It uses existing state resources where possible and can take on tasks the Governor assigns for federal designations. The council advises accredited nonprofit private colleges and helps run the Brown v. Board Scholarship program.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Destiny LeVere Bolling

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 1

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

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: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 1/28/2026

Reported from Education

Yes: 20 • No: 1

House vote 1/27/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0796)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 796 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  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 (HB427)

    3/5/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB427ER)

    3/5/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/5/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/5/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/5/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-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 (15-Y 0-N)

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

    2/23/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

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

    2/4/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

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

    2/2/2026House
  21. Read first time

    1/30/2026House
  22. Reported from Education (20-Y 1-N)

    1/28/2026House
  23. Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)

    1/27/2026House
  24. Assigned HED sub: Higher Education

    1/23/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB427)

    1/22/2026House

Bill Text

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