2026 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

26107489D

HOUSE BILL NO. 592

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Appropriations

on February 9, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Simonds)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-79.4:1, relating to public schools; wearable panic alarm systems.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-79.4:1 as follows:

§ 22.1-79.4:1. Wearable panic alarm system.

A. As used in this section:

"School security emergency" includes a non-fire evacuation, lockdown, medical emergency, or active shooter situation.

"Wearable panic alarm system" means a security system that is capable of being worn on the body of the user and by which the user manually activates a device that sends (i) a signal to the local 9-1-1 public safety answering point that indicates a school security emergency that requires immediate response and assistance from such public safety answering point and (ii) a multisensory schoolwide school security emergency notification, when appropriate.

B. Any school board may provide any school board employee in a public elementary and secondary school building in the local school division with a wearable panic alarm system.