2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102162D

SENATE BILL NO. 105

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled December 31, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-384, 22.1-385, and 22.1-386 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing (STEM+C) Competition Team Grant Program; eligibility for grants.

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Patrons—Stanley, Perry and Roem

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Referred to Committee on Education and Health

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 22.1-384, 22.1-385, and 22.1-386 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-384. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Computing" means computer science, computational thinking, and computer coding.

"STEM+C" means science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computing.

"STEM+C competition team" means an extracurricular team-building activity that (i) has a primary objective of engaging students in STEM+C-related activities, (ii) satisfies the criteria for qualifying for a grant established by the Board pursuant to § 22.1-386, and (iii) may include participating in project-based team competitions.

§ 22.1-385. STEM+C Competition Team Grant Program created; purpose.

The STEM+C Competition Team Grant Program is established to encourage interest in STEM+C-related subject areas and support STEM+C extracurricular team-building activities in public schools in the Commonwealth by providing grants for use in establishing new STEM+C competition teams or supporting existing STEM+C competition teams.

§ 22.1-386. Board to develop and issue grant guidelines; application; administration.

A. The Board shall develop and issue guidelines for the general requirements of qualifying for a grant in accordance with subsection B and shall develop the grant application form. Such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

B. The guidelines developed and issued by the Board pursuant to subsection A shall include specific criteria for qualifying for a grant for:

1. The establishment of a new STEM+C competition team through the STEM+C Competition Team Grant Program; and

2. The support of an existing STEM+C competition team that was established outside of or prior to application for a grant through the STEM+C Competition Team Grant Program.