# Virginia SB1031: Public elementary and secondary schools; compulsory attendance requirements, religious exemption.

Virginia SB1031, Public elementary and secondary schools; compulsory attendance requirements, religious exemption., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Stella G. Pekarsky (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-01-30 (Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 2-N)) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1031-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB1031
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Public elementary and secondary schools; compulsory attendance requirements, religious exemption.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-07
- Last action: 2025-01-30, Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 2-N)
- Sponsor: Stella G. Pekarsky (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Finance and Appropriations
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (22 yes, 8 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Public elementary and secondary schools; compulsory attendance requirements; religious exemption; requirements. Amends the provisions permitting any child and his parents to receive an exemption from school attendance by reason of bona fide religious training or belief, as defined in relevant law, to require the parent of any such child, in order to receive such exemption, to provide (i) evidence of the parent's ability to provide an adequate education for his child; (ii) notice to the division superintendent by August 15 of each year, or as soon as practicable in the event that such child and his parents move into the school division or seek to receive an exemption after the start of the school year, of such child and his parents' intention to receive such an exemption and certification that the child will receive an alternative form of instruction, including a description of the curriculum to be studied in the coming year; and (iii) evidence of the child's progress in accordance with the provisions of the bill.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Stella G. Pekarsky (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-30 | Senate | Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations | pass | 13 | 2 |   |
| 2025-01-28 | Senate | Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 9 | 6 |   |

## Actions (6)

- 2025-01-30: Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 2-N) (Senate)
- 2025-01-28: Committee substitute printed 25106253D-S1 (Senate)
- 2025-01-28: Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N) (Senate)
- 2025-01-16: Assigned Education sub: Public Education (Senate)
- 2025-01-07: Referred to Committee on Education and Health (Senate)
- 2025-01-07: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25101165D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Substitute, 2025-01-28: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1027004.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1027003.PDF)
- Substitute, 2025-01-20: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1024283.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1024282.PDF)
- Introduced, 2025-01-07: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1017579.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1017578.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1027004.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1027003.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1024283.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1024282.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1017579.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1017578.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1031-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).