# Virginia SB724: High school graduation requirements and diploma pathways; implementation.

Virginia SB724, High school graduation requirements and diploma pathways; implementation., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Christopher T. Head (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0812)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB724-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB724
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: High school graduation requirements and diploma pathways; implementation.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-15
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0812)
- Sponsor: Christopher T. Head (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 8 (219 yes, 3 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 9

## Summary

High school graduation requirements; application. Provides that, in the event that the Board of Education establishes or modifies any graduation requirements or diploma pathways, the Board shall only apply such new or modified graduation requirements or diploma pathways to students who enter ninth grade at the beginning of or after the first school year of implementation of such new or modified graduation requirements or diploma pathways. The bill is applicable beginning with students who enter the ninth grade on or after the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year. This bill is identical to HB 1283.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Adult pathway to a high school diploma: benefit, medium. The Board sets rules for a general achievement adult high school diploma. Adults not under compulsory attendance can qualify by passing a Board‑approved high school equivalency test, completing a Board‑designated program, or earning a Board‑approved CTE credential, and meeting any other Board rules.
- Earn credits faster by tests and credentials: benefit, medium. Students can earn course or verified credit by passing Board‑approved industry certifications, licensure exams, national tests, or the PreACT/PSAT. Qualified students may get credit without the 140 hours if the superintendent recommends it and they show mastery and pass the SOL. Divisions may waive…
- Stronger diploma options for students with disabilities: benefit, medium. Students with IEPs can earn a standard diploma by completing approved credit accommodations in their plans, or an Applied Studies diploma if they meet Board rules but not a named diploma. The law lists allowed accommodations, like alternative courses, modified verified‑credit rules, extra tests, ad…
- Clear timeline and statewide graduation data: benefit, medium. Before new graduation rules start, the Board must post the start date and guidance online. New rules apply only to students who start ninth grade in the first year or later; earlier students keep their original options but may opt in. The first cohort is students entering ninth grade in 2027–2028,…
- Diploma seals for top work: benefit, low. The Board sets criteria for diploma seals that recognize top work in CTE, STEM, civics, and biliteracy. For biliteracy, the Board may accept AP, SAT II, ACTFL/AAPPL scores, or a language‑sequence GPA.
- Help for English learners on tests and credits: benefit, low. The Department posts a public list of testing accommodations for English learners. High school principals must tell English learners about available accommodations before they test. An English learner who already earned a qualifying AP, IB, or SAT II foreign language score may use a computer coding…
- High school credit for approved tests: benefit, low. The Virginia Board of Education accepts approved substitute tests or industry certifications for some required subject exams. If you are in a career and technical program and pass the related license or certification test, you can earn the course credit. This gives students more paths to meet class…
- Schools must support transfers and inform families: benefit, low. Local school boards must award diplomas to all students, including transfers from public, private, or home instruction, who meet Board and approved local requirements. Accreditation rules must allow students to finish required courses through Virtual Virginia. Boards may set class‑ranking methods t…
- New high school diploma paths and courses: mixed, medium. The Board defines a Profile of a Virginia Graduate with key knowledge and skills. Students must take one fine or performing arts or CTE course, one U.S. and Virginia history course, and two sequential electives in a focus area. To graduate, students complete one of: an AP, honors, IB, or dual enrol…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Christopher T. Head (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-02 | House | Passed House | pass | 95 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-25 | House | Reported from Education | pass | 21 | 1 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting | pass | 10 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | Senate | Education and Health Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-06 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-06 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-05 | Senate | Reported from Education and Health with substitute | pass | 14 | 0 |   |

## Actions (35)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0812) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 812 (Effective - see bill) (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 (SB724) (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB724ER) (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 (95-Y 2-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)
- 2026-02-13: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-13: Referred to Committee on Education (House)
- 2026-02-13: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-11: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB724) (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Education and Health Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Committee substitute printed 26106675D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Senate subcommittee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Senate subcommittee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Reported from Education and Health with substitute (14-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-04: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB724) (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: Assigned Education sub: Public Education (Senate)
- 2026-01-15: Referred to Committee on Education and Health (Senate)
- 2026-01-15: Presented and ordered printed 26105476D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222848.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222847.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191368.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191367.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132254.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132253.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128111.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128110.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-15: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092158.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092157.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/1222848.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222847.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191368.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191367.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132254.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132253.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128111.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128110.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092158.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092157.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)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB724-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).