2026 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

26107653D

HOUSE BILL NO. 461

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Education

on February 11, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Cohen)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-217.5, relating to special education; student age range restrictions in educational settings.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-217.5 as follows:

§ 22.1-217.5. Student age range restrictions in educational settings.

No student with a disability in grades kindergarten through six shall be regularly placed in any educational setting, including any nongeneral educational setting, in which the maximum age range exceeds four years unless the student's individualized education program (IEP) team determines that an exception is appropriate and justifies such exception in the student's IEP.

2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on July 1, 2027.