VirginiaSB5292026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Public schools; school security and discipline, employment of school security officers, training.

Sponsored By: J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Public schools; school security and discipline; employment of school security officers; training requirements. Amends the requirements for the training course of which an individual employed as a school security officer is required to submit proof of completion to the Department of Criminal Justice Services in order to carry a firearm in the performance of his duties by (i) eliminating the requirement that such training course include training in active shooter emergency response and, instead, requiring it to include training in critical incident preparedness and response and (ii) clarifying that such training course include training in behavioral threat assessment.

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

17 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.

Help for crisis response and survivors

The Department reviews and reports on crisis‑intervention team programs. It helps set up Marcus alert systems so police and behavioral‑health teams respond together. The state creates a model jail addiction‑recovery program that jails may use, with voluntary participation. It builds trauma‑informed sexual‑assault investigation training for campuses. The Department staffs the statewide sexual and domestic violence standards committee and advises agencies on sex‑offender registry duties.

Track prison detector-dog performance

The Department of Corrections sets training standards for detector‑dog handlers and the dogs. DOC keeps a central database on detector‑dog performance, including calls, substances searched, detections, and true and false results.

Fight human trafficking: training and help

The Department offers online courses to help hotel owners, staff, security officers, couriers, and canine handlers spot and report human trafficking. These courses meet required training standards for security personnel. The Department and the Attorney General also advise police and prosecutors on trafficking investigations and prosecutions.

Pregnancy-care training for corrections staff

The law sets training rules for deputy sheriffs, local jail officers, and state corrections officers. Training must cover care for pregnant inmates, the effects of restraints, housing, and body-cavity searches. The goal is safer, more consistent care in correctional settings.

Standards for campus security staff

The state sets minimum hiring, training, and certification rules for campus security officers. It provides technical help on policies, procedures, and records. A college advisory group helps develop the standards.

Statewide police training and courses

The Department runs statewide police training programs and can approve training schools and courses in or outside Virginia. It sets how often officers retrain and provides model lesson plans for entry‑level, in‑service, and advanced training. Auxiliary police follow duty‑based training standards. Dispatchers hired on or after July 1, 1988 receive dementia‑response training.

Training for crises, disabilities, wellness

Officer training includes crisis‑intervention skills in basic training and recertification. Officers learn to communicate with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism, and how to prevent and de‑escalate crises. Basic training also covers stress recognition, self‑care, and resiliency.

Training for radar and speed checks

The law requires training and timelines for officers who use radar or other devices to measure speed. It also sets certification and recertification rules for the instructors who teach that training. This aims to make traffic speed enforcement more accurate and fair statewide.

Training rules for court security staff

The law sets entry-level, in-service, and advanced training and timelines for courthouse and courtroom security staff. It also sets the same training standards for deputy sheriffs who serve legal papers. These rules aim to make court facilities safer and service of process more consistent.

Uniform training rules for officers and trainers

The law sets uniform training rules for police across Virginia. The Department sets minimum post-hire training and timelines, including crisis intervention. It sets who may serve as a field training officer and how they keep that role. It sets minimum course content for in-service and advanced schools, even if the school is outside Virginia. It also sets minimum qualifications to certify and recertify academy instructors.

Photo IDs for private security workers

Private security registrants receive a state-approved photo ID card. The Department designs and controls the card and its issuance. This creates a small compliance step for private security workers.

Tow truck drivers must register

Tow truck drivers and businesses must register with the Department under the state vehicle code. The Department runs the registration and enforces the rules. This creates compliance duties for drivers and small businesses.

Data, research, plans, and grants

DCJS makes statewide rules and can require reports and data from criminal‑justice agencies. It runs a criminal‑justice research center and an integrated data system, produces reports, and helps data users. The Department creates a long‑range plan to improve law enforcement, helps agencies with programs, and can allocate and subgrant funds. It also promotes community policing with training, tools, and information. The Department conducts research to improve police administration.

Police policies, cameras, and accountability

The state publishes model police policies on topics like de‑escalation, bias, domestic and sexual violence, missing persons, pursuits, crowd control, and naloxone use. It sets a model policy for body‑worn cameras and record storage. A new center helps agencies earn accreditation. Statewide conduct rules apply to certified police and jail officers, with fair decertification and reinstatement procedures. The state also runs a public waiver process for use of certain military property and sets psychological exam guidelines.

Rules for armed school guards

A school security officer may carry a gun on duty only if strict rules are met. Within the past 10 years, the officer served as a law‑enforcement officer and left in good standing. The officer meets the firearm‑qualification rules in subsection C of § 18.2-308.016 and gives DCJS proof of active‑shooter, evacuation, and threat‑assessment training (local training must be from the officer’s employing locality). The local police chief confirms the officer is not barred from firearms, and the school approves the officer to carry.

Licensing rules for bail industry

The state licenses and regulates property and surety bail bondsmen and bail enforcement agents. This increases oversight and accountability for these services.

School security hiring and training

Local school boards and private and religious schools can hire school security officers. The state sets minimum job, entry, and in‑service training and certification standards. Officers who carry a firearm show proof of active‑shooter, evacuation, and threat‑assessment training. Officers serving as school resource officers complete role‑specific training on laws, safety, de‑escalation, bias, disability, and student mental health.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

J.D. "Danny" Diggs
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 312 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 2/27/2026

Reported from Public Safety

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/9/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)