HB 362 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Public elementary and secondary student textbooks; print as primary curriculum basis.

Summary

Public elementary and secondary student textbooks; print as primary curriculum basis. Requires, unless otherwise indicated in a student's individualized education program, print textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials to serve as the primary curriculum basis for a grade-level subject or course but permits digital textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials to serve as the secondary curriculum basis for a grade-level subject or course.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Feb 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Education Substitute → K-12 Subcommittee Subcommittee Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill underwent significant formatting and layout changes during its amendment process, transitioning from an 'Education Substitute' to a 'K-12 Subcommittee Substitute' version. The substantive policy content regarding the Printed Textbook Pilot Program remains unchanged, with no modifications to eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, or program requirements. The changes are primarily technical formatting adjustments including line breaks, spacing, and page layout reorganization.

TECHNICAL

Document formatting and layout were reorganized with changes in line breaks, spacing, and page positioning, but the actual legislative text and policy provisions remain identical.

Additional page headers and identifiers were added including 'HOUSE SUBSTITUTE', bill number '26106181D', and timestamp '2/3/26 11:58'.

Original header information including 'OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION' date and some initial page formatting was removed during the amendment process.

Introduced → Education Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from an introductory version to an Education Substitute version that adds a new Printed Textbook Pilot Program to the Code of Virginia. This change expands the legislative framework by creating a new section (22.1-243.1) to establish a pilot program allowing selected school divisions to use printed textbooks as the primary curriculum basis, despite existing laws that may favor digital materials. The amendment also updates existing textbook contract provisions to include 'other high-quality instructional materials' alongside traditional textbooks.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new pilot program that specifically authorizes printed textbooks as the primary curriculum basis for participating school divisions, overriding contrary provisions of law. The pilot program applies to up to 10 selected school divisions chosen competitively based on performance, demographics, and geographic diversity.

SCOPE

New Printed Textbook Pilot Program established in § 22.1-243.1 to allow selected school divisions to use printed textbooks as the primary curriculum basis for all enrolled students unless an IEP indicates otherwise.

FISCAL

Department of Education will award grants to participating school divisions to purchase printed textbooks and high-quality instructional materials, with no local match required and funds supplementing rather than replacing existing state textbook funding.

REQUIREMENT

Department must select up to 10 school divisions on a competitive basis considering school performance, student demographics including economically disadvantaged students, and geographic diversity.

Updated textbook contract provisions in § 22.1-241 to include 'other high-quality instructional materials' alongside traditional textbooks in purchasing requirements and NIMAS accessibility file submissions.

TIMELINE

New reporting requirement for the Pilot Program requiring annual reports to be submitted by November 1 of each program year to multiple legislative committees.

ELIGIBILITY

Pilot Program eligibility limited to up to 10 school divisions selected competitively by the Department of Education based on specific performance and demographic criteria.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Assigned HAPP sub: Elementary & Secondary Education

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Education with substitute and referred to Appropriations (16-Y 5-N)

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Education

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors