Overview
- The governor, who signed the package Thursday, set laws that take effect July 1 and cover school emergencies, mental health, internet safety, public pool rules, and school meal debt tracking.
- One measure lets divisions offer teachers wearable panic alarms that can signal 911 and trigger schoolwide alerts, with a state grant program planned to help cover costs.
- Threat assessment teams in K-12 schools and public colleges must now receive training on Virginia’s red flag process, which allows courts to temporarily remove firearms from people deemed a danger.
- New standards call for evidence-based training to help teachers spot student mental health challenges, and a separate law lets schools use at-risk funds for health services, including hiring nurses.
- A pilot program in Roanoke and Petersburg becomes a permanent demonstration model to improve school climate and reduce youth violence through career exposure and social-emotional support.