[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6346196,"mediaKeyId","2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401","parentId",2247261,"title","Planned‑absence withdrawal bill fails in subcommittee after debate over accreditation impacts","audioSeconds",1055,"startMs",7816545,"endMs",8871649,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401&start=7816&end=8871","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401/thumbnail_7816545.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346196/Virginia/Plannedabsence-withdrawal-bill-fails-in-subcommittee-after-debate-over-accreditation-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346196-41a84e70d7a929ee457030eff5f7fcb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1777716547&Signature=WtDGN8GJ8i4K~QPI6FS3vPZs628amzdg5FDMwXhOYqVdaGW387BFxTk2Lh6582wCizAN4T4WZUYgfxJs6YnyNFrJm5xBhVFyZvuCF62vAaV2oGgKw6V~Kl2MQE9beGoWlGGWxb0GZCCrzOG2Quf7XEgsVwN0lzkKmxg0neuSC4vDV6~Xtud~Mnev164IjO3lbeCGYplgDax2pPQk9V6CH42oo-q9-EwOsmRN3PZyEYn09ESmLqYy-SF8d4mhgbovaNn7dN26d0FhJh-LwOiv4X4LKnV8-8jHdSOpbhSKKub~H0iErj9toq~abTAFr1TpTZD-WHnfI6BAZLZgWU1UMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virginia Legislature","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","Lede: The subcommittee considered House Bill 17‑69, a proposal to allow school divisions to withdraw students in advance of a planned absence of more than 15 days so that those known absences would not count against the school’s chronic‑absence totals. The committee did not recommend the bill on the day of the hearing (motion failed 2‑3).

Nut graf: Sponsors said the change would protect school accreditation from predictable, planned absences (for example, extended family travel or medical treatment) that divisions already know will exceed the 15‑day withdrawal threshold. Opponents warned that removing the attendance consequence could reduce schools’ incentive to discourage extended absences and weaken efforts to address chronic absenteeism.

Details: The sponsor described situations where families notify a division in advance that a student will be absent for a planned period longer than 15 days and argued that counting the absences against the school’s accreditation can unfairly penalize schools. Counsel and local‑education representatives explained that under current standards chronic absenteeism is one factor for accreditation and that divisions already maintain emergency and withdrawal procedures. Committee members debated whether the bill would relieve schools of an incentive to reduce absences and whether providing parents with an administrative withdrawal right would be appropriate. Some members suggested alternatives such as requiring divisions to give written counseling or information to families at the time of a known planned absence.

Committee action: A motion to report the bill failed in committee by a 2‑3 vote. Members agreed to continue work on possible fixes and to try revising the proposal before it returns to the subcommittee or full Senate.

Ending: The bill did not advance from the subcommittee as presented; patrons and committee members signaled intent to continue drafting and to consider amendments that would preserve school responsibilities while addressing administrative fairness for known, long absences.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 6, 2025 - Education and Health: Public Education - SR C (311) - 30 min. after adjournment","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 17‑69, which would allow school divisions to withdraw students in advance for planned absences of more than 15 days so those absences would not count toward chronic‑absence measures, failed to get a committee recommendation after members voiced concerns about incentives and administrative effects.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature VA, Virginia","taxId",77687,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346200,"Subcommittee amends and advances bill requiring bleeding‑control kits at schools; limits training mandate",925,6066830,6992715,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401&start=6066&end=6992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401/thumbnail_6066830.jpg","/articles/6346200/Virginia/Subcommittee-amends-and-advances-bill-requiring-bleedingcontrol-kits-at-schools-limits-training-mandate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346200-f8fd0b0385806917ef5787d9bb11fa3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1777716548&Signature=jPpHOI01LmHpbKpYaWijtVrUw9nE-W~Bd-DOtnwQwMju6VNn4Ln2n~FG~lbcZqHcNxqj5nlwSPXUx0UdnMhfIavPIZRtf-3xtJ2GpR~uh7KazNBcO6PInVCfAA977f00NhojDaULVjsK0d2RdpimB77RoHOKI7XEEhcs2GKM--iC9zQj-q3FdsDlETTs~DSY4FHej~6GcnZuSnCGQbQzE2WR30kURu6tx8L08tETujQ031RTPlji4YS7pg41GiZOxncHC0C7OoEGVVI6lEm65eaYFdSe0mGLxEpP33Uwph6MNU28dYd7DqyZitdGjJwrm0CBljustgFoYQUsIpljwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lede: The Senate public education subcommittee amended and reported House Bill 1,700 requiring school boards to develop bleeding‑control programs, place bleeding‑control kits in schools, and provide training for staff. The committee removed language that would have repeated a specific civil‑liability clause and narrowed the training mandate.

Nut graf: Sponsors said bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury and that on‑site bleeding‑control kits and short hands‑on training can save lives while first responders are en route. The committee considered liability language and how to target training to staff most likely to be able to use the kits in an emergency.

Details: Delegate Clark presented HB 1,700, which originally required bleeding‑control kits in each school and training for school employees. Committee members asked who should take training and whether SROs (school resource officers) and other personnel already receive similar instruction. The courts committee had struck a specific liability provision in a substitute; committee counsel explained Virginia’s general good‑Samaritan and related civil‑immunity code sections apply. After a floor discussion about who should receive training and concern about overburdening classroom teachers, the subcommittee voted to remove lines 290–294 (language specifying liability protections) and to keep a narrower training mandate. The committee then voted to report the bill as amended; recorded vote 5‑0.

Context and limitations: Committee members emphasized the need to target training to staff who can access kits during an emergency (for example, SROs or staff with emergency responsibilities) rather than broadly assigning training to all classroom teachers. Several members noted that some first aid and tourniquet training is already covered in existing first‑aid requirements.

Ending: HB 1,700 was reported as amended and will move to the full Senate. Sponsors and supporters said the change narrows liability language and clarifies training scope; reporters should confirm final statutory text for the precise immunity language if the bill becomes law.","The subcommittee amended and reported House Bill 1,700, which requires school boards to develop a bleeding‑control program and place kits in schools. Members removed language repeating a specific civil‑liability exemption and narrowed training requirements; the amended bill passed the subcommittee 5‑0.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346205,"Subcommittee backs bill to help school divisions bill Medicaid; directs state to study barriers and provide a billing platform",180,3814859,3995765,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401&start=3814&end=3995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401/thumbnail_3814859.jpg","/articles/6346205/Virginia/Subcommittee-backs-bill-to-help-school-divisions-bill-Medicaid-directs-state-to-study-barriers-and-provide-a-billing-platform","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346205-55fa3059ff5b46b80bba5657295cc41b/orig.mp4?Expires=1777716548&Signature=kvkMUMMmQIhtNrkUoXX3w-tM7qCU3AwBZjG5UMICtqGgFCDIwIMacNMy6BaQoTfSUh8X8wPWP1BbnHnzH~TIFq~VgO9Sl2EbrJxTAVV6AYqUqpm1~1V6G7cP4-8WvUaQOy9Zf2zlNeXQf9Ghyn7aUs~ItySv8a1t79vqCK1n8kzn9bhcAFKhD2wLoXKswxOMSdWe3954XXle8ABPEDjr68ugsPkQpSrYUVRS3llf7xnoxJEwWm9MtEiD2ngeSTj6aX3xZQ7scj5U9CwGmqgazKU3fZkaQDZrzam8~wsPSAbWfR3axbLdIcLb2aJNeeGQZvFjDIO1etyTSrbrYC6~IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lede: The Senate public education subcommittee recommended reporting House Bill 2,471, a measure intended to help school divisions — particularly smaller ones — bill Medicaid for services provided to students.

Nut graf: Sponsors said the bill responds to an earlier Medicaid waiver that allows schools to bill directly for some services, and aims to support divisions that lack billing capacity by directing the Department of Education to contract for a billing platform, survey divisions about current billing practices and convene the school health services committee to identify barriers.

Details: Delegate Resul presented HB 2,471. Committee members asked how this bill differs from a Senate bill (Sen. Srinivasan’s 1354); the delegate said the approach here is to provide data and a billing platform rather than hire additional DOE staff. Cat Atkinson of Voices for Virginia’s Children testified in support, urging use of Medicaid where possible to support students. The committee moved the bill and recorded a favorable committee vote (motion passed; the transcript records that the motion passes.)

What the bill would do: According to the sponsor’s description in the hearing, HB 2,471 would (1) require the department to contract for a Medicaid billing platform accessible to school divisions, (2) direct a survey of school divisions to identify what Medicaid services they bill for and can bill for, and (3) have the school health services committee work with local divisions to identify billing barriers.

Committee action: The subcommittee voted to recommend reporting HB 2,471 to the full Senate (motion and second; vote recorded as passing in the transcript). The sponsor and advocates said the measure targets operational obstacles that prevent divisions from using federal Medicaid funds already available for qualifying services.

Ending: The bill advances to the full Senate; local divisions and advocates expect uptake to depend on whether a platform and technical assistance are funded and implemented.","House Bill 2,471 would require the Department of Education to contract for a Medicaid billing platform, survey divisions about current billing practices and convene stakeholders to identify barriers. The subcommittee recommended reporting the bill.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346210,"Family members and advocates urge schools to offer behind‑the‑wheel driver training; subcommittee recommends reporting HB 22‑13",229,3416545,3646300,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401&start=3416&end=3646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401/thumbnail_3416545.jpg","/articles/6346210/Virginia/Family-members-and-advocates-urge-schools-to-offer-behindthewheel-driver-training-subcommittee-recommends-reporting-HB-2213","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346210-2034d42fcb0df604ec3ac9107a9b3cb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1777716548&Signature=Z7OP78tDM-R4WxHuyT4AuMMMmcW~8Ntw8~BguKwSUnuGi8pPviobeadjbV8GPRU109H8Cal61zJDAbPBebnHFFSQeVn-zdbYTNIiMcBfeDwkUYkwRqDHSV9ITFdqbtcSaw~mv1TYjCypGpHs909aEGOwRF-an0-99H-6tgehojwAvDZ8MHX6RAeruCIA1ZHMgMTUWP6WX4ufnf5GPD4EFSLFkyVVFtCmon~uuR0SA3ifvbIJAgqKlQn4dkwDjb5JbBPyuNC9B8m7dV5n2LZgT2Uod9EbJopgjsTk8Gr6C5YktAg15XzZHD~Ao5cs3YC8qaacZjsBUVVfK546btTXsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lede: The Senate public education subcommittee recommended reporting House Bill 22‑13 to the full Senate after supporters, including a mother who lost a 16‑year‑old in a crash involving an unlicensed driver, urged school systems to offer behind‑the‑wheel training to broaden access to affordable driver instruction.

Nut graf: The bill does not mandate behind‑the‑wheel instruction but “strongly encourages” school boards to include behind‑the‑wheel driver training as part of driver‑education programs, either during school hours or before/after school, to improve equitable access to licensed driving instruction.

Details: Delegate McQueen explained the bill to the committee, saying it “strongly encourage[s] each school system” to offer behind‑the‑wheel instruction. A family member testified that her son, Connor, was killed in a triple‑fatal crash, and that the driver had been unlicensed; she said HB 22‑13 “is gonna help stop unlicensed driving here in the Commonwealth.” Kristin Petway, executive director of DriveSmart Virginia, told the committee that in some counties (she cited Goochland) there is only one private driving school and no public behind‑the‑wheel option, making access limited and costly for families.

Committee action: A motion and second were made to recommend reporting HB 22‑13; the committee voted 5‑0 to report the bill.

Context and limitations: The bill is permissive — it asks school boards to consider adding behind‑the‑wheel training and does not include statewide funding in the text discussed before the subcommittee. Advocates said the measure could reduce unlicensed driving and related harm if more students have equitable access to behind‑the‑wheel instruction.

Ending: The subcommittee advanced HB 22‑13 5‑0. The bill will next go to the Senate docket for further consideration.","House Bill 22‑13, which encourages school boards to offer behind‑the‑wheel driver training as part of driver education, was recommended for reporting by the Senate public education subcommittee after testimony from a family that lost a teenager in a crash and from DriveSmart Virginia.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346215,"Subcommittee reports dozens of House bills; key education measures advance",8877,69749,8947575,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401&start=69&end=8947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247261-6175f843ac7f8369fa6a572155ede401/thumbnail_69749.jpg","/articles/6346215/Virginia/Subcommittee-reports-dozens-of-House-bills-key-education-measures-advance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346215-2e85b74d5c78f30d0e08cf8a6bc15226/orig.mp4?Expires=1777716548&Signature=UEW73R5oODzo7sDFlmKP2tUa1q2RI-KdQ5eMrT0lKWWE3l6sWaQZnTSFz7yetEWYgIuQMtlfo~wlPtwhYJxFTS3OA1C7DebzoGyyo3bctHq~YnxZhAKWi-HoaFUoAhocq5kRkOnK2f9FxNqTc~1Yt5vK3cLFdy86hAN-8nJ-OPsxZ7xdQ2q2EfRzonc~n3EXaGnb3SLOIlUFikYgHkyWPsWaM01GHqtWVisnPRZrLWP4EQ2Oxc-rEWHcDe-RNU9Y1L66n~eoMis~~3vkMLGx-jg9Zj5OWYqVdCb823-UwmvWnhIcIiBjUc3l0~N6Qid4MhL31P1Z~QhFoGizrixeGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate public education subcommittee met in Senate Committee Room C311 in Richmond and took action on a long docket of House bills, reporting most measures to the full Senate for further consideration and sending a small number back for changes or further work.

Why it matters: The subcommittee’s recommendations advance a broad set of K–12 changes — from encouraging behind-the-wheel driver training to changes affecting special education, school safety and staff leave — that can affect school operations, student services and division funding across Virginia.

What the subcommittee did (Votes at a glance)
- House Bill 16‑26: Reported as conformed to the Senate companion (motion passed; tally not specified in committee transcript).
- House Bill 16‑63 (conform to SB 1104): Reported (tally not specified).
- House Bill 16‑95 (conform to SB 1817): Reported (tally not specified).
- House Bill 19‑10 (conform to SB 1289): Reported; vote recorded 5‑0.
- House Bill 19‑15 (conform to SB 1032): Reported; vote recorded 5‑0.
- House Bill 19‑45 (conform to SB 1037): Reported after questions about telehealth language; vote recorded 5‑0.
- House Bill 19‑88: Reported; motion passed 3‑2.
- House Bill 2,219: Held for amendment (committee did not report this bill during the hearing).
- House Bill 22‑13 (school-based behind‑the‑wheel driver instruction): Reported to the full Senate; committee vote 5‑0. Supporters included family members affected by a fatal crash and DriveSmart Virginia.
- House Bill 22‑78 (school accessibility survey for students with disabilities): Reported; committee vote 5‑0. The Arc of Virginia and Disability Law Center of Virginia testified in support.
- House Bill 2,471 (Medicaid billing support for school divisions): Reported; committee vote recorded as passing (tally not specified in transcript excerpt).
- House Bill 18‑92 (IEP notice for dual‑enrollment students): Reported; vote 5‑0.
- House Bill 19‑24 (hiring of individuals with restored civil rights): Reported; vote recorded 3‑1‑1.
- House Bill 23‑41 (culturally responsive school mental‑health guidance): Reported to the full Senate; vote recorded 3‑2 after discussion of deadlines and flexibility for local adoption.
- House Bill 19‑93 (allow hiring advertising on school buses for driver recruitment): Reported 5‑0.
- House Bill 20‑219 (AAC training amendments): Reported as amended 5‑0.
- House Bill 2,265 (endorsement flexibility for long‑term preschool special‑education staff): Reported 5‑0.
- House Bill 17‑83 (career and technical student organization clarification for FFA): Reported 5‑0.
- House Bill 18‑33 (Family Day Home pilot incentives): Reported 3‑0‑2 (three yes, zero no, two abstentions).
- House Bill 18‑30 (unpaid educational leave for certain association officers with buy‑back VRS credit at employee expense): Reported 3‑2.
- House Bill 16‑74 (remove duplicated accreditation requirement for school counselors/psychologists): Reported 3‑1‑1.
- House Bill 20‑13 (Address Confidentiality Program protections for pupil and parent addresses): Reported 5‑0.
- House Bill 2,051 (permission for law enforcement to meet annually with a school's safety audit team): Reported 5‑0 (permissive language).
- House Bill 1,700 (school bleeding‑control kits and training): Amended in committee (lines removed that created a specific liability clause); reported as amended 5‑0.
- House Bill 23‑60 (Seal of Biliteracy added to DOE list of industry credentials): Reported 4‑0‑1 (one abstention); the bill drew opposition from some CTE groups concerned about funding and coursework implications.
- House Bill 17‑69 (withdrawal for planned absences longer than 15 days): The committee took testimony, debated administrative effects and declined to recommend the bill in committee on the day (motion failed 2‑3). Members agreed to continue work on possible revisions.

What to watch next: The full Senate will consider the subcommittee's recommendations; bills that were reported move forward on the Senate calendar. Measures that were amended or held for further work may return to subcommittee or be revised before a full Senate vote.

Meeting context and attendance: The subcommittee conducted a large, expedited docket because the House floor was in session; the chair said the committee would “roll through” bills and not take public testimony on some items. Several bills drew extended testimony (notably driver‑training, Medicaid billing supports, and school safety/medical training) while many were advanced without extended debate.

Quotes from the hearing
- On adopting behind‑the‑wheel training in schools, a family member who lost a 16‑year‑old in a crash told the panel: “House Bill 22‑13 is gonna help stop unlicensed driving here in the Commonwealth.”
- On accessibility reporting, a testifier for the Arc of Virginia said the bill would “help ensure compliance with the ADA” by giving the state information about barriers in school buildings.

Full list of bills and formal actions in committee: See the Actions array attached to this article for the motions, reported outcomes and vote tallies recorded on the transcript.

Ending: The subcommittee finished a large portion of its docket and agreed to reconvene or continue work on a few bills that required amendments or further clarification.","The Senate public education subcommittee met in Richmond and voted to report a large bundle of House bills to the full Senate, sending bills on driver education, special-education billing, accessibility reviews and several others for further consideration. A handful of measures drew extended debate, amendments or failed on a committee vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planned‑absence withdrawal bill fails in subcommittee after debate over accreditation impacts

Subcommittee amends and advances bill requiring bleeding‑control kits at schools; limits training mandate

Subcommittee backs bill to help school divisions bill Medicaid; directs state to study barriers and provide a billing platform

Family members and advocates urge schools to offer behind‑the‑wheel driver training; subcommittee recommends reporting HB 22‑13

Subcommittee reports dozens of House bills; key education measures advance