Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted

HB 536 — Student bullying; adjusts definition, characteristics of victim.

Last action — Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 17, 2024

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on March 08, 2024.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 64% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 6 sponsors

    1 primary, 5 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Mixed recorded votes

    6 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Student bullying; definition; characteristics of victim. Adjusts the definition of "bullying" in the context of public education to specify that the real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim that is involved in the act of bullying includes such a power imbalance on the basis of the membership of the victim in a group that is protected from discrimination pursuant to the Virginia Human Rights Act.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

37 added · 41 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill HB 536 updates the definition of bullying to better capture various forms of discrimination, specifically by including protections based on characteristics like race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and religion. This change underscores a more comprehensive approach to addressing bullying, aiming to create a safer and more inclusive school environment for all students. Additionally, the term "disruptive behavior" was clarified to align with school board regulations, ensuring a clearer understanding of what actions could affect the learning environment. These adjustments matter because they provide clearer guidance for schools on how to address and prevent bullying effectively.

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SESSION ENGROSSED 24102548D HOUSE BILL NO.
SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to amend and reenact § 22.1-276.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to student bullying;
536 House Amendments in [ ] - February 8, 2024 A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-276.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to student bullying;
characteristics of victim.–––––––––– Patron Prior to Engrossment––Delegate Cole –––––––––– Referred to Committee on Education E –––––––––– Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
characteristics of victim.
N 1.
R O [H 536] L Approved Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
L 1.
G § 22.1-276.01.
E § 22.1-276.01.
"Alternative education program" includes night school, adult education, or any other education program designed to offer instruction to students for whom the regular program of instruction may be inappropriate.
A.
"Bullying" means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim;
For the purposes of this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggSessors and victim, including on the basis of the actual or perceived [ race, color, national origin, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, religion, or other distinguishing characteristics membership ] of the victim [ in a group that is protected from D time or causes severe emotional trauma.
D "Alternative education program" includes night school, adult education, or any other education program designed to offer instruction to students for whom the regular program of instruction may be ina"Bullying" means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim;
involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim, including on the basis of the actual or perceived membership of the victim in a group that is protected from discrimination pursuant to the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.);
aHd is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma.
"Bullying" does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.
"Bull5ing" does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.
"Disruptive behavior" means a violation of school board regulations governing student conduct that interrupts or obstructs the learning environment.
6 interrupts or obstructs the learning environment.ool board regulations governing student conducR that "Dress or grooming code" means any practice, policy, or portion of a code of student conduct adopted by a school board that governs or restricts the attire, appearance, or grooming, including hairstyle, of any enrolled student.
"Dress or grooming code" means any practice, policy, or portion of a code of student conduct adopted by a school board that governs or restricts the attire, appearance, or grooming, including hairstyle, of any enrolled student.
"Exclusion" means a Virginia school board's denial of school admission to a student who has been expelled or has been placed on a long-term suspension of more than 30 calendar days by another school by a private school in Virginia or another state.another state, or for whom admission has been withdrawn "Expulsion" means any disciplinary action imposed by a school board or a committee thereof, as provided in school board policy, whereby a student is not permitted to attend school within the school division and is ineligible for readmission for 365 calendar days after the date of the expulsion.
H "Exclusion" means a Virginia school board's denial of school admission to a student who has 5een board or a private school, either in Virginia or another state, or for whom admission has been withdrawn by a private school in Virginia or another state.
"Long-term suspension" means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend school for 11 to 45 school days.
E "Expulsion" means any disciplinary action imposed by a school board or a committee thereof, as provided in school board policy, whereby a student is not permitted to attend school within the school 35 division and is ineligible for readmission for 365 calendar days after the date of the expulsion.
school for a period not to exceed 10 school days.
36 "Long-term suspension" means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend / 37 school for 11 to 45 school days.
action whereby a student is not permitted to attend B.
38 "Short-term suspension" means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend schB.
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Action History

  1. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 17, 2024

  2. Communicated to Governor

  3. VOTE: REJECTED (0-Y 100-N)

  4. House rejected Governor's recommendation (0-Y 100-N)

  5. Governor's recommendation received by House

  6. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 8, 2024

  7. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2024

  8. Signed by President

  9. Impact statement from DPB (HB536ER)

  10. Signed by Speaker

  11. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB536ER)

  12. Enrolled

  13. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N)

  14. Read third time

  15. Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

  16. Reported from Education and Health (9-Y 6-N)

  17. Assigned Education and Health Sub: Public Education

  18. Impact statement from DPB (HB536E)

  19. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

  20. Constitutional reading dispensed

  21. VOTE: Passage (53-Y 43-N)

  22. Read third time and passed House (53-Y 43-N)

  23. Printed as engrossed 24102548D-E

  24. Engrossed by House as amended HB536E

  25. Committee amendments agreed to

  26. Read second time

  27. Read first time

  28. Reported from Education with amendment(s) (12-Y 10-N)

  29. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (5-Y 3-N)

  30. House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  31. Assigned Education sub: Early Childhood

  32. Impact statement from DPB (HB536)

  33. Referred to Committee on Education

  34. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24102548D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 142 not signed on · 113 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (5)

Not signed on (142)

142 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 142 →

"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

VOTE: REJECTED (0-Y 100-N)

Failed 0 Yea · 99 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 09900
Total 09900
% of votes cast 0%100%0%0%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Nay
Alex Q. Askew — Nay
Alfonso H. Lopez — Nay
Amy J. Laufer — Nay
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Nay
Atoosa R. Reaser — Nay
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Betsy B. Carr — Nay
Bill Wiley — Nay
Bonita G. Anthony — Nay
Briana D. Sewell — Nay
Bulova, David L. — Nay
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Nay
Charniele L. Herring — Nay
Chris S. Runion — Nay
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Nay
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Nay
David A. Reid — Nay
Debra D. Gardner — Nay
Delores L. McQuinn — Nay
Delores Oates — Nay
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Nay
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Nay
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Nay
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric Phillips — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Nay
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Nay
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Nay
Holly M. Seibold — Nay
Irene Shin — Nay
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jackie H. Glass — Nay
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Nay
James W. Morefield — Nay
Jason S. Ballard — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Nay
Joseph P. McNamara — Nay
Joshua E. Thomas — Nay
Joshua G. Cole — Nay
Kannan Srinivasan — Nay
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Nay
Karrie K. Delaney — Nay
Kathy K.L. Tran — Nay
Katrina Callsen — Nay
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Nay
Knight, Barry D. — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Nay
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Nay
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Nay
Luke E. Torian — Nay
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Nay
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Nay
Marcus B. Simon — Nay
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Nay
Marty Martinez — Nay
Michael B. Feggans — Nay
Michael J. Jones — Nay
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Milde, Paul V. — Nay
Mundon King, Candi — Nay
Nadarius E. Clark — Nay
Obenshain, Chris — Nay
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Nay
Owen, David — Nay
Patrick A. Hope — Nay
Paul E. Krizek — Nay
Phil M. Hernandez — Nay
Phillip A. Scott — Nay
R. Lee Ware — Nay
Rae Cousins — Nay
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Nay
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Nay
Rodney T. Willett — Nay
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Nay
Sam Rasoul — Nay
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Shelly A. Simonds — Nay
Sickles, Mark D. — Nay
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Terry G. Kilgore — Nay
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Nay
Timothy P. Griffin — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Nay
Wendell S. Walker — Nay
Will Davis — Nay
Wren M. Williams — Nay

Official roll call →

Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N)

Passed 21 Yea · 19 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 211900
Total 211900
% of votes cast 53%48%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Nay
Bryce E. Reeves — Nay
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Nay
Christopher T. Head — Nay
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Nay
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Nay
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Nay
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Nay
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Nay
Mark J. Peake — Nay
McGuire, John J., III — Nay
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Nay
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Nay
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Nay
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Nay
Tara A. Durant — Nay
Timmy French — Nay
Todd E. Pillion — Nay
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Nay

Official roll call →

Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 40000
Total 40000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Education and Health (9-Y 6-N)

Passed 9 Yea · 6 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 9600
Total 9600
% of votes cast 60%40%0%0%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Christie New Craig — Nay
Christopher T. Head — Nay
David R. Suetterlein — Nay
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Nay
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Nay
Todd E. Pillion — Nay

Official roll call →

VOTE: Passage (53-Y 43-N)

Passed 52 Yea · 43 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 524304
Total 524304
% of votes cast 53%43%0%4%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Nay
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Nay
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Nay
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Not Voting
Delores Oates — Nay
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Nay
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Not Voting
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric Phillips — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Nay
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Yea
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Nay
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Nay
James W. Morefield — Nay
Jason S. Ballard — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Nay
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Nay
Knight, Barry D. — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Nay
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Nay
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Milde, Paul V. — Nay
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Yea
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Nay
Owen, David — Yea
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Nay
R. Lee Ware — Not Voting
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Nay
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Not Voting
Terry G. Kilgore — Nay
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Nay
Timothy P. Griffin — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Nay
Will Davis — Nay
Wren M. Williams — Nay

Official roll call →

Reported from Education with amendment(s) (12-Y 10-N)

Passed 12 Yea · 10 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 121000
Total 121000
% of votes cast 55%45%0%0%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Nay
Rae Cousins — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 536 do?
Student bullying; definition; characteristics of victim. Adjusts the definition of "bullying" in the context of public education to specify that the real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim that is involved in the act of bullying includes such a power imbalance on the basis of the membership of the victim in a group that is protected from discrimination pursuant to the Virginia Human Rights Act.
Who sponsors HB 536?
HB 536 is sponsored by Joshua G. Cole, Laura Jane Cohen, Rozia A. Henson, Jr., Adele Y. McClure, Betsy B. Carr, and Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler.
What is the current status of HB 536?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 536?
Track HB 536 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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