2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102633D

SENATE BILL NO. 563

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-1.1, relating to parents of public elementary and secondary school children; fundamental right to opt children out of certain educational content.

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Patrons—Sturtevant and Mulchi

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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 the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-1.1 as follows:

§ 22.1-1.1. Parents of public elementary and secondary school children; fundamental right to opt children out of certain educational content.

Consistent with § 1-240.1 and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, parents of public elementary and secondary school children have the fundamental right to opt their children out and any public secondary school student who is 18 years of age or older shall be permitted to, by request of such student, opt-out, without penalty, of any instruction, reading, discussion, presentation, including any audio-visual presentation, school assembly, or activity that includes any gender identity, sexual orientation, transgenderism, or drag show theme or content, and the elementary or secondary school shall make reasonable accommodations during such opt-out period.