HB 1097 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Driver communication improvement program; drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, etc.

Summary
Driver communication improvement program for drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; education for law-enforcement officers and emergency medical services providers; educational materials for driver training schools. Requires law-enforcement officers and emergency medical service providers, as a condition of such providers' certification and recertification, to undergo education on the driver communication improvement program for drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The bill directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to display information about the driver communication improvement program on its website and distribute educational materials to all driver training schools licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. As introduced, this bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Disability Commission.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Apr 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill marks the final passage of legislation (HB 1097) that mandates new training for Virginia law enforcement and emergency medical services regarding autism spectrum disorder. The primary change is the addition of specific educational requirements for officers to recognize autism and use de-escalation techniques, alongside the distribution of informational materials to driver training schools. The text also includes standard formatting adjustments typical when a bill moves from draft to final chaptered status.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on law enforcement and EMS training; no new entities were added to the requirement, but the content of the training was expanded to include autism awareness.
REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory training standards for law enforcement officers to recognize autism spectrum disorder and apply crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques.

Added a requirement for the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide educational materials about the Blue Envelope Program to all licensed driver training schools.

TECHNICAL

Changed the text from draft format (Enrolled) to final chaptered format (Chapter 263), including updating the session year to 2026 and adding the official approval date.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 24, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

How they voted

380
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 39
Feb 24, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
18 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
32
Key actions
13
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Apr 6, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 263 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1097ER)
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Transportation (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (96-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendments agreed to
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Transportation with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
House committee offered
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
lower
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors