# Virginia SB63: Graduation with an advanced studies diploma; requirements, complet. of Int'l Baccalaureate diploma. Virginia SB63, Graduation with an advanced studies diploma; requirements, complet. of Int'l Baccalaureate diploma., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-06 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0183)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB63-2026 - As of: 2026-10-12 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Virginia SB63 - State: Virginia - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Graduation with an advanced studies diploma; requirements, complet. of Int'l Baccalaureate diploma. - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-12-15 - Last action: 2026-04-06, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0183) - Sponsor: Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 0 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 8 (199 yes, 23 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 12 ## Summary Board of Education; high school graduation; simultaneous completion of International Baccalaureate diploma and advanced studies diploma. Requires the Board of Education to permit any student who (i) during or after grade 10, transferred into a public high school in the Commonwealth and (ii) is simultaneously pursuing an advanced studies diploma and an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma to complete certain courses or sequences of courses required for an IB diploma, as approved by the Board, including substitutes for the Virginia and U.S. history and government courses and for the economics and personal finance credit requirement. The bill also directs the Board to grant a waiver from the training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators required for graduation to any student who (a) pursuant to his individualized education program or Section 504 Plan cannot successfully complete the training or (b) after grade 10, transfers from a school or other education program that does not require or give credit for such training. This bill is identical to HB 595. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Adult path to a high school diploma: benefit, medium. Adults who are not required to attend school can earn an adult high school diploma. Paths include passing a Board‑approved equivalency exam, finishing a Board‑designated education or training program, or earning a Board‑approved CTE credential. The Board sets the detailed rules. - Earn credits by tests and mastery: benefit, medium. High school students have more ways to earn credit. You can get credit by passing Board‑approved industry, licensure, or competency exams. Integrated courses can count if you pass the related Standards of Learning (SOL) test. You can earn credit without 140 hours by showing mastery and passing the… - IB diploma counts for advanced diploma: benefit, medium. If you complete the requirements to be eligible for an International Baccalaureate diploma, you meet the course and credit rules for Virginia’s advanced studies diploma. You still must complete emergency first aid/CPR/AED training unless waived and meet required Virginia and U.S. history and govern… - More diploma paths for students with disabilities: benefit, medium. Students with disabilities can earn a standard diploma by meeting the IEP’s credit accommodations, such as alternative courses or locally verified credits. If they complete IEP requirements but not any named diploma, schools award an Applied Studies diploma. Local boards must have a process for loc… - New graduate profile, pathways, and seals: benefit, medium. The State Board sets a Profile of a Virginia Graduate that lists key knowledge and skills, with input from schools, colleges, and employers. Early high school focuses on core skills. The Board creates multiple pathways that include internships, externships, and credentialing. It also sets diploma s… - Case-by-case waivers for graduation rules: benefit, low. The Board can waive certain graduation requirements for good cause, one student at a time. A parent may request a diploma for a senior who died in good standing before graduation. Each request is reviewed case by case. - Schools must notify families on graduation: benefit, low. Before 11th and 12th grade, schools must tell parents the diploma rules and what their student still needs. If a student fails to graduate and is under 20 on August 1, schools must tell parents about the student’s right to free public education. For English learners, the notice must follow language… - Testing help for English learners: benefit, low. The Department must keep a list of testing accommodations for English learners. Each school must tell English learners about available testing supports before they test. - Graduation data public; custody cases excluded: benefit, low. The State Board collects and publishes high school graduation and dropout data using a uniform formula. Students who fail to graduate because they are in custody of corrections, juvenile justice, or local law enforcement are excluded from the graduation‑rate calculation used for accreditation. The… - New course, safety, and online requirements: mixed, medium. To graduate, students must take one arts or CTE course, one U.S. and Virginia history course, and two sequential focused electives. Students must also meet an advanced option, such as AP, honors, IB, dual enrollment, high‑quality work‑based learning, or an approved CTE credential. Schools must prov… - Workforce and computer science count more: mixed, medium. If you earn a workforce credential on the Board’s approved list, you can use it for elective credit. Computer science courses can count for science, math, or career and technical education. Some English learners who already earned a strong AP, IB, or SAT II language score may use a computer coding… - Diplomas, transfers, class rank, and certificates: mixed, low. Local boards must award diplomas to students who meet state and local rules, help with transfers and proper placement, allow Virtual Virginia to meet requirements, and give reasonable accommodations. Boards may set class ranking methods when a student retakes a required class and an earlier grade w… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-02 | House | Passed House | pass | 96 | 3 | | | 2026-02-25 | House | Reported from Education | pass | 21 | 1 | | | 2026-02-24 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting | pass | 10 | 0 | | | 2026-02-03 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 22 | 17 | | | 2026-02-02 | Senate | Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-01-30 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 38 | 0 | | | 2026-01-30 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-01-29 | Senate | Reported from Education and Health with substitute | pass | 12 | 2 | | ## Actions (32) - 2026-04-06: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0183) (Governor) - 2026-04-06: Approved by Governor-Chapter 183 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor) - 2026-03-10: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor) - 2026-03-10: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB63) (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB63ER) (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Enrolled (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Signed by President (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Signed by Speaker (House) - 2026-03-02: Passed House (96-Y 3-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-03-02: Read third time (House) - 2026-02-27: Read second time (House) - 2026-02-25: Reported from Education (21-Y 1-N) (House) - 2026-02-24: Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N) (House) - 2026-02-10: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB63) (Senate) - 2026-02-06: Read first time (House) - 2026-02-06: Referred to Committee on Education (House) - 2026-02-06: Placed on Calendar (House) - 2026-02-03: Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Read second time (Senate) - 2026-01-30: Committee substitute printed 26105899D-S1 (Senate) - 2026-01-30: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-01-30: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-01-30: Rules suspended (Senate) - 2026-01-29: Senate committee offered (Senate) - 2026-01-29: Reported from Education and Health with substitute (12-Y 2-N) (Senate) - 2026-01-22: Senate subcommittee offered (Senate) - 2026-01-15: Assigned Education sub: Public Education (Senate) - 2025-12-15: Referred to Committee on Education and Health (Senate) - 2025-12-15: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101077D (Senate) ## Bill text - Chaptered, 2026-04-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1216726.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1216725.PDF) - Enrolled, 2026-03-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191305.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191304.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-01-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1104863.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1104862.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-01-29: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094394.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094393.PDF) - Introduced, 2025-12-15: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1081873.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1081872.PDF) ## Related bills - HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed) - SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed) - HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed) - HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed) - HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed) - HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed) ## Sources - [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1216726.HTML) - [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1216725.PDF) - [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191305.HTML) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191304.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1104863.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1104862.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094394.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094393.PDF) - [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1081873.HTML) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1081872.PDF) ## Related - [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026) - [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026) - [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026) - [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026) - [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026) - [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026) - [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-SB63-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).