Higher educational institutions, public; restrictions on student speech, limitations.
This bill focuses on restricting student speech in public colleges and universities. It seeks to define the boundaries of what students can say or express while on campus.
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HB1473 — Higher educational institutions, public; restrictions on student speech, limitations.
Last action — Continued from last session
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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1Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed House of Delegates
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been introduced in the House of Delegates. Introduced January 23, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
Not enough signal yet to read this bill's trajectory — we surface a likelihood only once there's real movement (stage, sponsorship, committee, or votes) to point to.
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.
In plain language
The bill imposes limitations on student speech at public higher educational institutions.
This bill focuses on restricting student speech in public colleges and universities. It seeks to define the boundaries of what students can say or express while on campus.
What this means for you
- Students: This means you may have limited freedom of speech in certain contexts while attending classes or participating in campus activities.
Summary
Higher educational institutions, public; restrictions on student speech, limitations.
Bill Text
We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.
Read HB1473 on the official Virginia source →Compared against the Code of Virginia as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.
This bill amends 1 section(s) of the Code of Virginia: 23.1-401.
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23.1-401
A
Inserts “A”.
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23.1-401
.
Inserts “.”.
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23.1-401
United StatesStrikes “United States”.
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23.1-401
of the United States
Inserts “of the United States”.
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23.1-401
(a) are→ :Replaces “(a) are” with “:”.
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23.1-401
1. Are
Inserts “1. Are”.
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23.1-401
, (b) are→ in relation to the circumstances;Replaces “, (b) are” with “in relation to the circumstances;”.
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23.1-401
2. Are
Inserts “2. Are”.
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23.1-401
or viewpoint
Inserts “or viewpoint”.
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23.1-401
, (c) are→ ;Replaces “, (c) are” with “;”.
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23.1-401
3. Are
Inserts “3. Are”.
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23.1-401
as evidenced by specific and articulable facts
Inserts “as evidenced by specific and articulable facts”.
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23.1-401
consistent with subsection D
Inserts “consistent with subsection D”.
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23.1-401
;
Inserts “;”.
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23.1-401
(d) leaveStrikes “(d) leave”.
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23.1-401
4. Leave
Inserts “4. Leave”.
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23.1-401
B. No public institution of higher education shall:
Inserts “B. No public institution of higher education shall:”.
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23.1-401
1. Require pr
Inserts “1. Require pr”.
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23.1-401
ior administrative approval, registration, or official sponsorship as a condition of any students assembling in an outdoor area of campus;
Inserts “ior administrative approval, registration, or official sponsorship as a condition of any students assembling in an outdoor area of campus;”.
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23.1-401
2.
Inserts “2.”.
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23.1-401
Prohibit
Inserts “Prohibit”.
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23.1-401
the use of amplified sound during a student assembly conducted
Inserts “the use of amplified sound during a student assembly conducted”.
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23.1-401
during daytime hours and in
Inserts “during daytime hours and in”.
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23.1-401
outdoor campus spaces that are not adjacent to academic buildings
Inserts “outdoor campus spaces that are not adjacent to academic buildings”.
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23.1-401
,
Inserts “,”.
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23.1-401
provided, however, that restrictions on the volume of amplified sound may be imposed consistent with the provisions of s
Inserts “provided, however, that restrictions on the volume of amplified sound may be imposed consistent with the provisions of s”.
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23.1-401
ubsection A
Inserts “ubsection A”.
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23.1-401
;
Inserts “;”.
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23.1-401
3. Withhold the award of any degree from a student solely on the basis of such student's participation in any
Inserts “3. Withhold the award of any degree from a student solely on the basis of such student's participation in any”.
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23.1-401
student
Inserts “student”.
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23.1-401
assembly,
Inserts “assembly,”.
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23.1-401
regardless of whether such
Inserts “regardless of whether such”.
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23.1-401
student
Inserts “student”.
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23.1-401
assembly was permitted or prohibited;
Inserts “assembly was permitted or prohibited;”.
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23.1-401
4. Restrict
Inserts “4. Restrict”.
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23.1-401
expressive
Inserts “expressive”.
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23.1-401
activit
Inserts “activit”.
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23.1-401
y
Inserts “y”.
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23.1-401
to designated zones of
Inserts “to designated zones of”.
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23.1-401
outdoor areas of campus
Inserts “outdoor areas of campus”.
Action History
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H Continued to next session in Education (Voice Vote)
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H Placed on Education Agenda
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H Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
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H House subcommittee offered
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H Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1473)
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H Placed on Education Agenda
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H Assigned HED sub: Higher Education
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H Referred to Committee on Education
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H Presented and ordered printed 26103873D
Sponsors
- Charlie Schmidt · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (147)
147 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 147 →"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.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB1473 do?
- Higher educational institutions, public; restrictions on student speech, limitations.
- Who sponsors HB1473?
- HB1473 is sponsored by Charlie Schmidt.
- What is the current status of HB1473?
- This bill has been introduced in the House of Delegates. Introduced January 23, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track HB1473?
- Track HB1473 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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