2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25102838D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2452

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 8, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23.1-1303.1, relating to baccalaureate public institutions of higher education; livestreaming, recording, and archiving of boards of visitors meetings; closed sessions; guidelines.

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Patrons—Hodges, Garrett, Lovejoy and Owen; Senator: Cifers

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Referred to Committee on Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 23.1-1303.1 as follows:

§ 23.1-1303.1. Livestreaming, recording, and archiving of boards of visitors meetings; closed sessions; guidelines.

A. Each baccalaureate public institution of higher education shall:

1. Provide for the livestreaming of all meetings of its board of visitors, including full board meetings, committee meetings, and subcommittee meetings, in a manner that is accessible to the public in real time; and

2. Ensure that recordings of such meetings (i) are made, archived, and made available to the public within five business days following the conclusion of the meeting; (ii) remain accessible on the institution's official website for no less than five years from the date of the meeting; and (iii) include closed captioning for accessibility and are presented in a format compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq.).

B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the requirements for closed sessions as set forth in §§ 2.2-3711 and 2.2-3712.

C. The Council shall develop and provide to each baccalaureate public institution of higher education guidelines to assist such institutions with complying with the provisions of this section, including recommendations for technology standards and accessibility features.

D. The board of visitors of each baccalaureate public institution of higher education shall include a report on the institution's compliance with the provisions of this section in its annual report submitted pursuant to subdivision B 13 of § 23.1-1303.