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
21–0
Passed
Total votes 21
Feb 13, 2026
D
Democratic15
100% Yea
R
Republican6
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
Laura Jane Cohen
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 471
Scope: VA
Hi! I can help you understand HB 471. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline