SB 161 — Public elementary and secondary schools; treatment of transgender students, policies.
Last action — Approved by Governor-Chapter 154 (effective 7/1/20)
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House of Delegates
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 19, 2019. Enacted.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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4 sponsors
1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 9 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Summary
Public elementary and secondary schools; treatment of transgender students; policies. Requires the Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board, no later than December 31, 2020, model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools that address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to (i) compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; (ii) maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; (iii) prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; (iv) maintenance of student records; (v) identification of students; (vi) protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; (vii) enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and (viii) student participation in sex-specific school activities and events, excluding athletics, and use of school facilities. The bill requires each school board to adopt, no later than the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, policies that are consistent with but may be more comprehensive than such model policies developed by the Department of Education. This bill is identical to HB 145.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
17 added · 11 removedPlain-language change summary
The updated version of Bill SB 161 adds references to previous legislative sessions and efforts related to the treatment of transgender students in Virginia's public schools. This change helps clarify the bill’s context and shows how it fits within the ongoing legislative discussions. In essence, it emphasizes that the approach to addressing the needs of transgender students is part of a broader, ongoing commitment by the state to ensure their well-being and inclusion in schools.
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SESSION history | hilite | pdf | print version VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER 154 An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-23.3, relating to public elementary and secondary schools;
[S 161] Approved March 4, 2020 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
View plain text versions (5)
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0154) View text Current html March 04, 2020
- Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB161ER) View text html February 25, 2020
- Amended Reengrossed by Senate as amended SB161E2 html January 21, 2020
- Amended Engrossed by Senate as amended SB161E html January 20, 2020
- Amended Engrossed by Senate as amended SB161E html December 19, 2019
Action History
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Approved by Governor-Chapter 154 (effective 7/1/20)
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Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 10, 2020
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Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on February 3, 2020
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Signed by President
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Impact statement from DPB (SB161ER)
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Signed by Speaker
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Enrolled
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VOTE: Passage (58-Y 40-N)
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Passed House (58-Y 40-N)
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Read third time
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Read second time
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Reported from Education (16-Y 6-N)
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Impact statement from DPB (SB161E2)
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Referred to Committee on Education
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Read first time
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Placed on Calendar
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Passed Senate (23-Y 16-N)
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Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N)
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Passed Senate (24-Y 15-N)
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Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
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Printed as reengrossed 20102095D-E2
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Reengrossed by Senate as amended SB161E2
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Amendment by Senator Norment agreed to
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Reading of amendment waived
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Engrossment reconsidered by Senate (39-Y 0-N)
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Passed by temporarily
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Printed as engrossed 20102095D-E
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Engrossed by Senate as amended SB161E
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Committee amendments agreed to
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Reading of amendments waived
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Read second time
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Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
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Reported from Education and Health with amendments (10-Y 5-N)
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Assigned Education sub: Public Education
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Referred to Committee on Education and Health
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Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20102095D
Sponsors
- Jennifer B. Boysko · Primary
- Jennifer L. McClellan · Cosponsor
- Joseph D. Morrissey · Cosponsor
- Adam P. Ebbin · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 144 not signed on · 46 voted No
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (3)
- Jennifer L. McClellan
- Joseph D. Morrissey
- Adam P. Ebbin
Not signed on (144)
144 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 144 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 57 | 40 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 57 | 40 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 58% | 40% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 16 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 16 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 73% | 27% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (22)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Collins, Christopher E. | — | Nay |
| Avoli, G. "John" | — | Yea |
| Batten, Amanda E. | — | Nay |
| Bourne, Jeffrey M. | — | Yea |
| Bulova, David L. | — | Yea |
| Cole, Mark L. | — | Nay |
| Davis, Glenn R. | — | Yea |
| Delores L. McQuinn | — | Yea |
| Guy, Nancy D. | — | Yea |
| Guzman, Elizabeth R. | — | Yea |
| Joshua G. Cole | — | Yea |
| Keam, Mark L. | — | Yea |
| Lamont Bagby | — | Yea |
| Marshall, Daniel W., III | — | Nay |
| McGuire, John J., III | — | Nay |
| Mugler, Martha M. | — | Yea |
| Robinson, Roxann L. | — | Yea |
| Sam Rasoul | — | Yea |
| Schuyler T. VanValkenburg | — | Yea |
| Subramanyam, Suhas | — | Yea |
| Tyler, Roslyn C. | — | Yea |
| Wampler, William C., III | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 24 | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 24 | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 60% | 38% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Nay |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Nay |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Nay |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Nay |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Not Voting |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| Adam P. Ebbin | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Nay |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Nay |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Nay |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Nay |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Nay |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Nay |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Nay |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 23 | 16 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 23 | 16 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 58% | 40% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Nay |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Nay |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Nay |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Nay |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Not Voting |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Nay |
| Adam P. Ebbin | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Nay |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Nay |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Nay |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Nay |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Nay |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Nay |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Nay |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Not Voting |
| Adam P. Ebbin | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Yea |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Yea |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Not Voting |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| Adam P. Ebbin | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Yea |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Yea |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Not Voting |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| Adam P. Ebbin | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 38 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 38 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 95% | 0% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Not Voting |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Yea |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Adam P. Ebbin | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Not Voting |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 67% | 33% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (15)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Nay |
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Nay |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Nay |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Nay |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 161 do?
- Public elementary and secondary schools; treatment of transgender students; policies. Requires the Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board, no later than December 31, 2020, model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools that address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to (i) compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; (ii) maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; (iii) prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; (iv) maintenance of student records; (v) identification of students; (vi) protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; (vii) enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and (viii) student participation in sex-specific school activities and events, excluding athletics, and use of school facilities. The bill requires each school board to adopt, no later than the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, policies that are consistent with but may be more comprehensive than such model policies developed by the Department of Education. This bill is identical to HB 145.
- Who sponsors SB 161?
- SB 161 is sponsored by Jennifer B. Boysko, Jennifer L. McClellan, Joseph D. Morrissey, and Adam P. Ebbin.
- What is the current status of SB 161?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 19, 2019. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 161?
- Track SB 161 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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