SB394Virginia2026 sessionPassed / Enacted

Artificial intelligence; use of systems for student instruction.

Plain-language summary

Directs the Virginia Department of Education to compile information on current use of artificial intelligence systems for student instruction and publish guidance for the safe, ethical, and equitable use of AI in public elementary and secondary schools. Each school board must adopt policies consistent with that guidance, and the Department must establish an AI Innovation in Education Pilot Program, through July 1, 2030, to fund and evaluate innovative classroom uses of AI, reporting annually to relevant legislative committees.

Summary generated by AI from the official bill text — may contain errors.

History

Jan 13, 2026

SPrefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105454D

Jan 13, 2026

SReferred to Committee on Education and Health

Feb 2, 2026

SFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)

Feb 5, 2026

SAssigned Education sub: Public Education

Feb 12, 2026

SReported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

Feb 12, 2026

SReported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

Feb 13, 2026

SRules suspended

Feb 13, 2026

SConstitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)

Feb 13, 2026

SPassed by for the day

Feb 16, 2026

SRead second time

Feb 16, 2026

SEngrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Feb 16, 2026

SRules suspended

Feb 16, 2026

SConstitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

Feb 16, 2026

SRead third time and passed Senate (38-Y 1-N 0-A)

Feb 19, 2026

HPlaced on Calendar

Feb 19, 2026

HRead first time

Feb 19, 2026

HReferred to Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation

Feb 23, 2026

HReferred from Communications, Technology and Innovation and referred to Education (Voice Vote)

Feb 26, 2026

HAssigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee

Mar 3, 2026

HSubcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)

Mar 3, 2026

HHouse subcommittee offered

Mar 4, 2026

HReported from Education with substitute (20-Y 1-N)

Mar 4, 2026

HCommittee substitute printed 26108797D-H1

Mar 5, 2026

SFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)

Mar 6, 2026

HRead second time

Mar 9, 2026

HRead third time

Mar 9, 2026

Hcommittee substitute agreed to

Mar 9, 2026

HEngrossed by House - committee substitute

Mar 9, 2026

HPassed House with substitute (96-Y 1-N 0-A)

Mar 10, 2026

SHouse substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

Mar 11, 2026

HHouse insisted on substitute

Mar 11, 2026

HHouse requested conference committee

Mar 12, 2026

SSenate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Mar 12, 2026

SConferees appointed by Senate

Mar 12, 2026

SSenate Conferees: Pekarsky, Favola, Head

Mar 12, 2026

HConferees appointed by House

Mar 12, 2026

HHouse Conferees: Rasoul, Maldonado, Cherry

Mar 12, 2026

Conference Report released

Mar 13, 2026

SConference report agreed to by Senate (37-Y 2-N 0-A)

Mar 13, 2026

HConference report agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)

Mar 30, 2026

SEnrolled

Mar 30, 2026

SBill text as passed Senate and House (SB394ER)

Mar 30, 2026

SSigned by President

Mar 31, 2026

SFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)

Mar 31, 2026

HSigned by Speaker

Mar 31, 2026

SEnrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

Mar 31, 2026

Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

Apr 13, 2026

Approved by Governor-Chapter 943 (effective 7/1/2026)

Apr 13, 2026

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0943)

Progress

Introduced

Engrossed

Enrolled

Passed

Signed into lawApr 13, 2026