SB 529 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Public schools; school security and discipline, employment of school security officers, training.

Summary
Public schools; school security and discipline; employment of school security officers; training requirements. Amends the requirements for the training course of which an individual employed as a school security officer is required to submit proof of completion to the Department of Criminal Justice Services in order to carry a firearm in the performance of his duties by (i) eliminating the requirement that such training course include training in active shooter emergency response and, instead, requiring it to include training in critical incident preparedness and response and (ii) clarifying that such training course include training in behavioral threat assessment.
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 13, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 1 edit
MINOR
This bill transitions from an 'Enrolled' draft to its final 'Chaptered' status, officially adding it to the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive policy text regarding school security training and officer powers remains identical to the draft version, with no new requirements, funding changes, or eligibility criteria introduced in this final step.
TECHNICAL

The bill's title was updated to include the specific chapter number (Chapter 503) and the official approval date (April 8, 2026), while all legislative content and formatting were finalized.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 6, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

380
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 39
Feb 6, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
18 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
30
Key actions
11
Committee
5
Apr 8, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 503 (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 (SB529ER)
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Public Safety (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
Assigned Education sub: Public Education
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Danny Diggs
Danny Diggs
RRepublican
VA
24