HB 171 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Student instruction; Internet safety, policy to include key modern digital safety topics.

Summary
Student instruction; internet safety; certain topics. Requires the internet safety component that is integrated into each school division's instructional program as required by its acceptable internet use policy to include instruction on key modern digital safety topics, including online scams, misinformation, and content generated by artificial intelligence.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Signed Apr 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill has been officially enacted into law as Chapter 48 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive text of the law regarding internet safety policies remains unchanged, but the document now includes the official approval date of April 2, 2026, and formal chapter designation.
TECHNICAL

The document format changed from a draft 'Enrolled' version to a final 'Chaptered' version, adding the official chapter number (Chapter 48) and the specific enactment date (April 2, 2026).

Removed draft session headers and placeholder lines that were present in the unenacted version.

Added the official approval date and chapter title to finalize the legislation.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

How they voted

360
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 39
Feb 27, 2026
D Democratic20
18 Yea 2
90% Yea
R Republican19
18 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
10
Committee
7
Apr 2, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 48 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB171ER)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Assigned Education sub: Public Education
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (75-Y 24-N 0-A)
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Education (16-Y 6-N)
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee
lower
Jan 6, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors