HB 1186 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Artificial intelligence; use of systems for student instruction.

Summary

Department of Education; artificial intelligence system use in instructional settings; development of AIS safety guidance required; AIS Innovation in Education Pilot Program established; report. Requires the Department of Education, in consultation with school divisions and other relevant stakeholders, to compile information on current uses of artificial intelligence systems (AIS) for student instruction in public schools in the Commonwealth and to establish and post in a publicly accessible location on its website guidance for the safe, ethical, and equitable use of AIS in instructional settings in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill requires each school board to establish, implement, and enforce policies consistent with the guidance developed by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The bill also directs the Department to establish and oversee the AIS Innovation in Education Pilot Program for the purpose of funding, evaluating, and scaling innovative uses of AIS in public elementary and secondary schools by providing support to school divisions in piloting AIS applications for instruction, tutoring, student engagement, operational efficiency, and teacher support and to submit an annual report to the Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by December 1. The Pilot Program has an expiration date of July 1, 2030. This bill is identical to SB 394.

Issues: ✗ Education ✗ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

Communications Subcommittee Substitute → Education Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was fundamentally rewritten to shift from a regulatory approach to a data collection approach. Instead of requiring the Board of Education to create detailed rules and prohibitions on how artificial intelligence is used in schools, the new version requires the Department of Education to simply gather information on current AI usage and policies from local school divisions and report the findings to the legislature.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from establishing statewide mandates and definitions for AI use to a passive information-gathering exercise. It no longer applies to the Board of Education's rule-making authority but instead targets the Department of Education's reporting duties.

REQUIREMENT

Removed all definitions for AI terms like 'artificial intelligence system' and 'division-managed AIS platform'.

Removed the mandate for the Board of Education to publish guidance on AI safety, ethics, and equity.

Deleted the prohibition requiring students to interact with AI chatbots to complete assignments.

Added a requirement for the Department of Education to collect narrative reports on AI usage and policies from every local school division.

TIMELINE

Changed the reporting deadline from an unspecified timeframe to a specific date of November 1, 2026.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed all provisions regarding data privacy agreements with AI providers and technical security standards.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

38–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 39

Mar 6, 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

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 937 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1186ER)

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference report agreed to by Senate (38-Y 1-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Legislature · Passed

Conference Report released

legislature

Mar 11, 2026

Committee

Senate requested conference committee

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate subcommittee offered

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Education and Health with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

Assigned Education sub: Public Education

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Education and Health

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (95-Y 1-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Education with substitute (21-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

House committee offered

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Communications, Technology and Innovation with substitute and referred to Education (20-Y 2-N)

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

Assigned HST sub: Communications

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor