VirginiaSB2212026 Regular SessionSenate

School crossing zones; active times, locality may increase time preceding & following school hours.

Sponsored By: Jerrauld C. "Jay" Jones (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

School crossing zones; active times. Authorizes a local governing body, by ordinance, to increase from 30 minutes to up to 60 minutes the period of time before and after regular school hours during which school crossing zones are active if it determines that children will be going to or from school during that period of time.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Who sets up school-zone signs

A school crossing zone is an area near a school where children’s presence requires a special warning, and it must be clearly marked. Signs must be within 750 feet of the school or crossing, unless the state DOT or the local governing body approves another location. Cities and towns supply portable signs inside their limits; the state DOT supplies them outside those limits. The school principal or a designated official places the portable signs when needed and removes them when not needed. Signs must be visible from both directions and must not block the roadway. Virginia Beach may set up school zones with flashing lights along highways next to Route 58.

School-zone speeds and fines

The law sets a 25 mph limit when school-zone signs show the limit and are active. In residential school zones, the limit can be 15 mph if the school board asks for it and the local government passes an ordinance. Cities and towns, and counties in Planning District 8, can change school‑zone speeds after an engineering and traffic study, but the new speed only counts when it is clearly posted on the school signs. Speeding in an active, posted school zone is a traffic infraction with a fine up to $250.

When school-zone signs are active

School-zone signs must be in place or flashing for 30 minutes before school starts and 30 minutes after it ends. Signs must also be active at other times when children need extra warning. Local governments may shorten the 30‑minute windows if they find no children are arriving or leaving then. They may extend the windows by ordinance up to 60 minutes if children are traveling during that longer period.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jerrauld C. "Jay" Jones

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 205 • No: 15

House vote 3/9/2026

Passed House

Yes: 80 • No: 15

House vote 3/3/2026

Reported from Transportation

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 2/25/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Transportation Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Reported from Transportation with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0337)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 337 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB221)

    3/16/2026Senate
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB221ER)

    3/13/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/13/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/13/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/13/2026House
  10. Passed House (80-Y 15-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026House
  11. Read third time

    3/9/2026House
  12. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    3/6/2026House
  13. Passed by for the day

    3/6/2026House
  14. Read second time

    3/5/2026House
  15. Reported from Transportation (21-Y 0-N)

    3/3/2026House
  16. Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)

    2/25/2026House
  17. Assigned HTRAN sub: Highway Safety and Policy

    2/20/2026House
  18. Referred to Committee on Transportation

    2/9/2026House
  19. Read first time

    2/9/2026House
  20. Placed on Calendar

    2/9/2026House
  21. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026Senate
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB221)

    2/3/2026Senate
  23. Transportation Substitute agreed to

    2/3/2026Senate
  24. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/3/2026Senate
  25. Read second time

    2/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

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