A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:1, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to public elementary school students; physical activity.
HB873 amends Virginia’s public education standards statute to address physical activity for public elementary school students. Based on the bill caption and the referenced section of the Code of Virginia, the measure is aimed at the instructional-program requirements that support the Standards of Learning and other educational objectives. The bill appears to modify the state framework governing what public schools must provide to elementary students in relation to physical activity, likely by adding or clarifying requirements within the existing education standards statute.
Because the text provided is only the opening portion of the substitute bill, the full scope of the changes is not visible here. However, the bill clearly targets § 22.1-253.13:1, a central statute that sets statewide instructional-program expectations for public schools. Any change to this section would affect local school divisions’ obligations and the State Board of Education’s standards-setting authority, particularly as applied to elementary school programming and student wellness or movement-related requirements.
HB873 would amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:1 of the Code of Virginia, which governs the Standards of Learning and other instructional-program requirements for public schools. The practical effect would be to alter state law governing public elementary school students’ physical activity, potentially requiring school divisions to provide or account for additional activity time, related programming, or compliance measures. The bill would therefore affect local school boards, elementary schools, and the State Board of Education within the broader framework of Virginia’s public education standards.
The available legislative history suggests limited recorded debate and no roll-call vote, with the bill continued to the next session in the House Education Committee by voice vote. That procedural outcome indicates the measure did not advance immediately and may have been left unresolved rather than decisively opposed or endorsed on the record. With no committee transcript provided, there is no documented public discussion here showing strong support or opposition, only that the bill remained under consideration.
The likely points of contention center on whether the state should impose additional physical-activity requirements on elementary schools and how such requirements would be implemented by local school divisions. Supporters would likely emphasize student health, wellness, and the educational benefits of movement during the school day, while opponents or cautious members may raise concerns about local flexibility, instructional time, staffing, scheduling, and compliance burdens. Because no transcript is available, the specific arguments and sponsors of those concerns are not documented in the provided record.