School boards; use of social media by schools, etc.
Summary
School boards; use of social media platforms as sole means of certain communications prohibited. Provides that each school board shall prohibit public elementary and secondary schools, school board employees, and school volunteers from using a social media platform as the sole means of communication with students for the facilitation of school-related extracurricular activities. The bill provides an exception to such prohibition when such use is required to meet an objective that cannot be reasonably achieved without such use, provided that the division superintendent or his designee (i) provides clear, written instructions on such use and (ii) may revoke such exception at any time.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Signed Apr 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Enrolled
→
Chaptered
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill enacts a new law prohibiting school boards from using social media platforms as the only way to communicate with students for extracurricular activities. The change matters because it aims to protect student privacy and safety by requiring schools to use approved, secure messaging tools instead of public social media sites. The law allows for exceptions only when a specific objective cannot be met otherwise, provided clear written instructions are given.
Scope change
The bill adds a new section to the Code of Virginia specifically targeting school boards, employees, and volunteers regarding their communication methods for extracurricular activities.
REQUIREMENT
Schools are now prohibited from using social media as the sole communication channel for extracurricular activities with students.
Schools must use division-approved communication or messaging applications instead.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'social media platform' was updated to reference the correct section number (§ 59.1-575) with proper formatting.
ENFORCEMENT
Superintendents can grant written exceptions for specific needs but must provide clear instructions and retain the power to revoke them at any time.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 13, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026
How they voted
34–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 39
Feb 13, 2026
D
Democratic20
95% Yea
R
Republican19
78% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
41
Key actions
16
Committee
8
Amendments
3
Apr 6, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 338 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB245ER)
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
House Amendments agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House with amendments Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House with amendments (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendments agreed to
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Education with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (9-Y 1-N)
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 245
Scope: VA
Hi! I can help you understand SB 245. 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