VirginiaHB4782026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Diploma seal for excellence in fine arts; established, industry-recognized workforce credential.

Sponsored By: Vivian E. Watts (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Diploma seal for excellence in fine arts established; industry-recognized workforce credential. Requires the Board of Education to establish criteria for awarding a high school diploma seal for excellence in fine arts, which may include a sequence of coursework, cumulative grade point average in such sequence of coursework, or any other performance-based criteria that the Board deems appropriate. The bill also requires the Board to add such diploma seal to its list of industry-recognized workforce credentials for the purpose of satisfying the career and technical education credential option for high school graduation.

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

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Fine arts, biliteracy seals count for graduation

To graduate, a student must do one: take AP, honors, IB, or dual enrollment; complete high‑quality work‑based learning; or earn a Board‑approved CTE credential. The biliteracy and excellence in fine arts diploma seals count as approved credentials. If a suitable credential is not available or does not show skills well, the student gets competency‑based instruction instead. The Board sets clear seal rules, like a course sequence, GPA, or language test scores.

Listed workforce credentials count for graduation

The State Board keeps a public list of industry credentials that can replace some required classes. The list includes credentials finished outside school hours and reflects current graduation rules. Every local school board must accept any credential on that list as a substitute for the matched required credit. These rules remain in effect through July 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Vivian E. Watts

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 32

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 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 68 • No: 28

House vote 2/9/2026

Reported from Education

Yes: 17 • No: 3 • Other: 1

House vote 2/4/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0152)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 152 (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 (HB478)

    3/5/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB478ER)

    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: Public Education

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

    2/16/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/16/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House (68-Y 28-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026House
  20. Read second time and engrossed

    2/12/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/11/2026House
  22. Reported from Education (17-Y 3-N 1-A)

    2/9/2026House
  23. Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)

    2/4/2026House
  24. Assigned HED sub: Early Childhood and Innovation

    1/30/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB478)

    1/29/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation