HB 1473 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Higher educational institutions, public; restrictions on student speech, limitations.

Summary
Public institutions of higher education; students and campus; restrictions on student speech; limitations. Clarifies the requirements for and limitations on the ability of a public institution of higher education to impose restrictions on the time, place, or manner of student speech that occurs in outdoor areas of the institution's campus and is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States by (i) clarifying the criteria for demonstrating that the restriction is permissible; (ii) prohibiting any public institution of higher education from imposing certain restrictions, punishments, policies, or restraints designed to restrict student speech in ways that violate the First Amendment rights of students, faculty, and staff; and (iii) requiring any public institution of higher education that deems any student speech or assembly unlawful and imposes a restriction on the time, place, or manner of such speech to submit to the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education within 45 days of imposing such restriction a report detailing the justification for such restriction, demonstrating how the restriction satisfies the criteria required pursuant to applicable law and the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Education Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill transitioned from an introduced version to an Education Committee substitute amendment. The main substantive change is the addition of a new section (§ 23.1-401.1) requiring public institutions to establish speech policies, develop educational materials, and submit annual compliance reports to state leadership. The original bill's reporting requirements were also expanded to include annual compliance documentation alongside incident-specific reports.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from only amending § 23.1-401 to also amending § 23.1-401.1, adding new requirements for institutions to proactively establish and report on constitutionally protected speech policies.
REQUIREMENT

Added new § 23.1-401.1 requiring institutions to establish and publish policies on constitutionally protected speech in student handbooks and on websites.

Added requirement for institutions to develop educational materials about speech policies and notify employees responsible for student discipline.

ENFORCEMENT

Added annual reporting requirement to Governor and state committee chairmen by December 1, including policies, compliance certification, and copies of First Amendment lawsuits filed against the institution.

TIMELINE

Expanded reporting timeline to include both annual compliance reports (due December 1) and incident-specific reports (due within 45 days of imposing restrictions).

TECHNICAL

Changed bill title from 'Introduced' to 'Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute' indicating committee amendment status.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Assigned HED sub: Higher Education
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 26103873D
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.