HB 653 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Excused student absences; visitation of immediate family members on active duty military, etc.

Summary

Excused student absences for visitation of immediate family members in connection with deployment. Allots five excused absences to any student whose immediate family member is active duty military and has received orders for, is on leave from, or has recently returned from deployment outside the United States for the purpose of visitation with such family member, provided that the student provides written documentation verifying such leave or deployment if requested by the local school division.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was formally approved and enacted into law as Chapter 193 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The primary change is the addition of the official approval date, April 6, 2026, which signifies the bill's transition from a proposed measure to an active statute. No substantive policy changes, such as new eligibility criteria, funding adjustments, or modified requirements, were made to the text of the bill during this final stage.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text of the law regarding student absences for family visitation and military deployment has not been altered.

TECHNICAL

Added the specific approval date (April 6, 2026) and chapter number (Chapter 193) to the header, marking the bill as officially enacted.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 39

Feb 27, 2026

D Democratic20

18 Yea 2

90% Yea

R Republican19

18 Yea 1

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 6, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 193 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB653ER)

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate amendment agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by Senate as amended

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee amendment agreed to (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Education and Health with amendment (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Assigned Education sub: Public Education

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Education and Health

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (94-Y 2-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Education with substitute (21-Y 1-N)

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Education with substitute (13-Y 2-N)

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House committee offered

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 2-N)

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Education

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors