2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25102800D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2765

Offered January 17, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-23.6, relating to Department of Education; statewide anonymous student reporting mobile application.

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Patrons—Obenshain, Cherry and Green

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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 22.1-23.6 as follows:

§ 22.1-23.6. Statewide anonymous student reporting mobile application.

With such funds as may be appropriated for such purpose pursuant to the general appropriation act or provided from any other source, the Department, alone or in partnership with another state agency or a nonprofit organization, or a combination thereof, shall (i) develop or procure a multiplatform compatible mobile application that permits any public elementary and secondary school student to submit anonymous reports relating to the health or safety of self or others, including threats of violence that are made on social media; (ii) train or contract for the training of individuals to respond to each such anonymous report in a timely and effective manner, including responding to the student and notifying the appropriate school official, local law-enforcement agency, or public safety answering point (PSAP), as that term is defined in § 56-484.12; (iii) train students, parents, PSAP responders, law-enforcement officials, and school officials throughout the Commonwealth on the proper use of such mobile application; and (iv) provide permissible users with access to such mobile application at no cost.