An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-279.6:1, relating to private elementary and secondary schools; student codes of conduct; policies relating to bullying and cyberbullying prevention and parental notification; requirements.
Summary
SB341 adds a new section to the Code of Virginia requiring private elementary and secondary schools to include bullying and cyberbullying policies in their student codes of conduct. The bill requires those policies to be consistent with applicable law, to include staff training or guidance on handling student conduct violations, and to include measures intended to reduce bias and harassment in enforcement. It also allows schools to use Board of Education model policies as a guide.
The bill further requires private schools to adopt a clear prohibition on bullying and to include specific minimum procedures. These include notifying the parent of any student involved in a confirmed bullying incident within 24 hours, addressing cyberbullying between enrolled students, protecting victims and witnesses from retaliation that could deter reporting, and prohibiting hazing as defined in Virginia law. Schools may adopt more comprehensive policies than the minimum required by the bill.
Impact
The bill creates a new statutory requirement for private elementary and secondary schools in Virginia, expanding state law beyond public-school conduct rules to cover private-school student discipline policies. It affects school administrators by mandating specific policy content, parental notification timelines, anti-retaliation protections, and hazing prohibitions, while also tying school procedures to existing state, federal, and case law. The practical effect is to standardize baseline bullying and cyberbullying prevention measures across private schools in the Commonwealth.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally well received in the legislative process, with strong committee and floor support in both chambers and final enactment as Chapter 237. Senate passage was especially strong, while the House approved the measure after adopting a substitute, indicating broad agreement on the bill’s purpose even if some details were revised. The recorded votes suggest overall bipartisan acceptance, though not unanimous support.
Contention
The main points of contention appear to have centered on the scope and specifics of the required policies, as reflected in the House substitute and the split votes in House committee and on the floor. Likely areas of debate included how prescriptive the state should be for private schools, the 24-hour parental notification requirement, and whether the bill should impose uniform anti-bullying, cyberbullying, and hazing rules on private institutions. The final compromise language suggests some members preferred a modified version rather than the original bill text.