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Bill would create DOE work group to study technologies that flag at-risk students

Virginia House K-12 Subcommittee · February 25, 2026

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Summary

SB39 directs the Department of Education to convene a stakeholder workgroup to evaluate student-monitoring products marketed to identify students at risk of harm and to report on privacy, effectiveness, and practices by Nov. 15. The subcommittee unanimously reported and referred the measure to appropriations.

Senator Favola described SB39 as a section 1 bill that would direct the Virginia Department of Education to convene a workgroup of school divisions, counselors and technology providers to evaluate digital products that claim to identify students at risk of self-harm or harm to others. The bill seeks to assess both benefits and drawbacks, including privacy and follow-up procedures when a device or software flags a student.

Witnesses including the Virginia School Counselors Association and Code VA supported the bill. Chris Dovi of Code VA asked the committee to ensure the workgroup’s scope includes software as well as hardware, noting that software-safety and security issues have arisen in other states. Counsel for the committee confirmed the term "technology tools" in the bill could encompass a broad range of products.

A committee member moved and the subcommittee voted unanimously to report the bill and refer it to appropriations on a recorded vote of 11 to 0. The workgroup’s report, if produced, would inform any future legislative or procurement guidance around student-monitoring technologies.