Virginia House Bill 38
Session 2026
Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction, requirements.
Introduced
Introduced in House on Dec 23, 2025
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill Number
38
State
Virginia
Session
2026
checkPassed on January 20, 2026
Motion Text
Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)
House Roll Call Votes
Gretchen M Bulova
Yes
Jessica L. Anderson
Yes
Lindsey Dougherty
Yes
Yes
Summary
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-298.6 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction; requirements.
Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction; requirements. Requires each teacher and other relevant personnel, as determined by the applicable school board, employed on a full-time basis to complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders in accordance with evidence-based best practices developed by the American Psychological Association. Current law requires such teachers and personnel to complete mental health awareness training but does not contain any requirements relating to the specific topics such training must address. The bill prohibits any of its provisions or any policy adopted in accordance with its provisions from being construed to permit biased or discriminatory treatment of any youth population deemed to be at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders.
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01/20/2026
House
Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)
01/19/2026
House
Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee
12/23/2025
House
Referred to Committee on Education
12/23/2025
House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101402D
Sources
VA Legislature
Open States
Record Created
Jan 20, 2026 9:25:52 PM
Record Updated
Jan 20, 2026 9:25:52 PM