2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

24102782D

SENATE BILL NO. 395

Offered January 10, 2024

Prefiled January 9, 2024

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-271.7 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public elementary and secondary schools; student athletes; pre-participation mental health assessment required.

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Patron—Pekarsky

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Referred to Committee on Public Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22.1-271.7 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-271.7. Public elementary and secondary school student-athletes; pre-participation physical examination and mental health assessment.

A. No public middle elementary or secondary school student shall be a participant on or try out for any school athletic team or squad with a predetermined roster, regular practices, and scheduled competitions with other middle elementary or secondary schools unless such student has submitted to the school principal a signed report from a licensed physician, a licensed advanced practice registered nurse practicing in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-2957, or a licensed physician assistant acting under the supervision of a licensed physician attesting that such student has been examined, within the preceding 12 months 365 days, received a physical examination and a mental health assessment and has been found to be physically fit for athletic competition.

B. The signed report submitted to the school principal in accordance with subsection A shall not include any specific information relating to the results of such student's mental health assessment and shall include only such information as is necessary to establish such student's eligibility in accordance with subsection A.

C. No public elementary or secondary school shall become a member of any organization or entity whose purpose it is to regulate or govern interscholastic programs that does not deem eligible for participation a student who has, pursuant to subsection A, submitted a signed report to the school principal attesting that such student has received a physical examination and a mental health assessment and has been found fit for athletic competition within the 365 days preceding the date on which he is seeking to establish such eligibility.

2. That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall become effective on July 1, 2025.