STATE BILLVA SB 394PASSED

Artificial intelligence; use of systems for student instruction.

Commonwealth of Virginia

Department of Education; artificial intelligence system use in instructional settings; development of AIS safety guidance required; AIS Innovation in Education Pilot Program established; report. Requires the Department of Education, in consultation with school divisions and other relevant stakeholders, to compile information on current uses of artificial intelligence systems (AIS) for student instruction in public schools in the Commonwealth and to establish and post in a publicly accessible location on its website guidance for the safe, ethical, and equitable use of AIS in instructional settings in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill requires each school board to establish, implement, and enforce policies consistent with the guidance developed by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The bill also directs the Department to establish and oversee the AIS Innovation in Education Pilot Program for the purpose of funding, evaluating, and scaling innovative uses of AIS in public elementary and secondary schools by providing support to school divisions in piloting AIS applications for instruction, tutoring, student engagement, operational efficiency, and teacher support and to submit an annual report to the Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by December 1. The Pilot Program has an expiration date of July 1, 2030. This bill is identical to HB 1186.

Status
Passed
Signed or otherwise enacted
Status date
Apr 13, 2026
213 days ago
Current chamber
Senate
Session
2026 Regular Session
VA SB 394 · PassedApr 13

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Bill details

Last action
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0943) · Apr 13, 2026

Sponsor

SPStella PekarskySenator · Democrat · SD-036Primary sponsor

Bill history

Newest first.

Apr 13, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0943)
Apr 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 943 (effective 7/1/2026)
Mar 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Mar 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026Senate
Mar 31, 2026Signed by SpeakerHouse
Mar 31, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)Senate
Mar 30, 2026Signed by PresidentSenate
Mar 30, 2026Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB394ER)Senate
Show 41 earlier actions
Mar 30, 2026EnrolledSenate
Mar 13, 2026Conference report agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)House
Mar 13, 2026Conference report agreed to by Senate (37-Y 2-N 0-A)Senate
Mar 12, 2026Conference Report released
Mar 12, 2026House Conferees: Rasoul, Maldonado, CherryHouse
Mar 12, 2026Conferees appointed by HouseHouse
Mar 12, 2026Senate Conferees: Pekarsky, Favola, HeadSenate
Mar 12, 2026Conferees appointed by SenateSenate
Mar 12, 2026Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate
Mar 11, 2026House requested conference committeeHouse
Mar 11, 2026House insisted on substituteHouse
Mar 10, 2026House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)Senate
Mar 9, 2026Passed House with substitute (96-Y 1-N 0-A)House
Mar 9, 2026Engrossed by House - committee substituteHouse
Mar 9, 2026committee substitute agreed toHouse
Mar 9, 2026Read third timeHouse
Mar 6, 2026Read second timeHouse
Mar 5, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)Senate
Mar 4, 2026Committee substitute printed 26108797D-H1House
Mar 4, 2026Reported from Education with substitute (20-Y 1-N)House
Mar 3, 2026House subcommittee offeredHouse
Mar 3, 2026Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)House
Feb 26, 2026Assigned HED sub: K-12 SubcommitteeHouse
Feb 23, 2026Referred from Communications, Technology and Innovation and referred to Education (Voice Vote)House
Feb 19, 2026Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and InnovationHouse
Feb 19, 2026Read first timeHouse
Feb 19, 2026Placed on CalendarHouse
Feb 16, 2026Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 1-N 0-A)Senate
Feb 16, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate
Feb 16, 2026Rules suspendedSenate
Feb 16, 2026Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)Senate
Feb 16, 2026Read second timeSenate
Feb 13, 2026Passed by for the daySenate
Feb 13, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate
Feb 13, 2026Rules suspendedSenate
Feb 12, 2026Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)Senate
Feb 12, 2026Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)Senate
Feb 5, 2026Assigned Education sub: Public EducationSenate
Feb 2, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)Senate
Jan 13, 2026Referred to Committee on Education and HealthSenate
Jan 13, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105454DSenate

Recorded votes

Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)Feb 12, 2026 · Senate · 15 yea · 0 nayPassed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)Feb 12, 2026 · Senate · 15 yea · 0 nayPassed
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)Feb 13, 2026 · Senate · 35 yea · 0 nayPassed
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)Feb 16, 2026 · Senate · 39 yea · 0 nayPassed
Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 1-N 0-A)Feb 16, 2026 · Senate · 38 yea · 1 nayPassed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)Mar 3, 2026 · House · 9 yea · 1 nayPassed
Reported from Education with substitute (20-Y 1-N)Mar 4, 2026 · House · 20 yea · 1 nayPassed
Passed House with substitute (96-Y 1-N 0-A)Mar 9, 2026 · House · 96 yea · 1 nayPassed
House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)Mar 10, 2026 · Senate · 0 yea · 40 nayFailed
Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Mar 12, 2026 · Senate · 40 yea · 0 nayPassed
Conference report agreed to by Senate (37-Y 2-N 0-A)Mar 13, 2026 · Senate · 37 yea · 2 nayPassed
Conference report agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)Mar 13, 2026 · House · 95 yea · 0 nayPassed

Read the bill at the source

This page follows the bill as the legislature records it. For the bill's full text and the official record, use the legislature's own site.

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