2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105579D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1373

Offered January 20, 2026

A BILL to require the Office of Children's Services to assess the feasibility of establishing a regional public day school in Planning District 16; report.

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Patrons—Carroll, Cole, J.G. and Cole, N.T.

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Referred to Committee on Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The Office of Children's Services (OCS), in collaboration with the Department of Education, each school board that governs a local school division in Planning District 16, and such other stakeholders as OCS deems appropriate, shall assess the feasibility of establishing a regional public day school in Planning District 16 for the purpose of providing special education and related services to students with disabilities who would otherwise be placed in a private day school pursuant to the student's individualized education program but for the availability of such public day school. In conducting such assessment, OCS shall assess and make recommendations relating to the optimal location of such a public day school, facility requirements, financial contribution models for participating divisions to support the growing population of students that may utilize and benefit from such a public day school, and any amendments to § 2.2-5211 or 2.2-5212 of the Code of Virginia or any other provision of law or regulation that may be necessary to properly effectuate the establishment of such public day school. OCS shall report its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations no later than November 1, 2026. In the event that OCS fails to report such findings and recommendations by November 1, 2026, the school boards that govern the local school divisions in Planning District 16 may procure a comparable feasibility assessment from a qualified private entity identified by such school boards.