2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104686D

SENATE BILL NO. 733

Offered January 16, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-94 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local governing bodies; appropriations of local school funds to families for compulsory student attendance in nonpublic school settings.

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Patron—Sturtevant

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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 § 22.1-94 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-94. Appropriations by local governing body for public schools and students.

A governing body may make appropriations to a school board from the funds derived from local levies and from any other funds available, for operation, capital outlay, and debt service in the public schools. Such appropriations shall be not less than the cost apportioned to the governing body for maintaining an educational program meeting the standards of quality for the several school divisions prescribed as provided by law, provided, however, that the governing body may reserve per pupil amounts of such apportioned costs and instead appropriate such amounts to the parents of students in the local school division for the satisfaction of the compulsory attendance of their children in nonpublic school settings as set forth in § 22.1-254. The amount appropriated by the governing body for public schools shall relate to its total only or to such major classifications prescribed by the Board of Education pursuant to § 22.1-115. The appropriations may be made on the same periodic basis as the governing body makes appropriations to other departments and agencies.