HB 471 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Higher ed. institutions, public; financial aid for students with intellectual disabilities, etc.

Summary
Public institutions of higher education; financial aid and assistance; transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities; eligibility for state-supported financial aid programs. Extends eligibility for any state-supported financial aid program or other higher education program to any individual who (i) is enrolled in an eligible transition and postsecondary education program, defined by the bill as any program offered by a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth to students with intellectual disabilities attending such institution that meets the criteria for and is federally designated as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program; (ii) is a student with an intellectual disability, as defined by the bill; and (iii) meets the other eligibility requirements for such program, except for certain enumerated eligibility requirements from which the bill exempts such individuals or for which the bill directs the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to establish alternative, equivalent standards for students with intellectual disabilities.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Feb 13, 2026
Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

How they voted

210
Passed
Total votes 21
Feb 13, 2026
D Democratic15
15 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican6
6 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Feb 13, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (21-0)
house of delegates
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (7-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 17, 2026
Committee
Assigned HAPP sub: Higher Education
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Appropriations
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Laura Jane Cohen
Laura Jane Cohen
DDemocratic
VA
15