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AI Summary
The bill mandates the Virginia Department of Education to develop guidance for the safe use of AI in schools, consulting with stakeholders, and establishes a pilot program for funding, evaluating, and
Business Impact
If you use AI for student instruction in Virginia, you must follow new guidelines from the Department of Education once they are issued.
What do these statuses mean? ▼
Introduced
— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee
— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed
— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted
— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed
— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown
— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
Topics How we classify →
What This Means
Virginia's SB394, identical to HB 1186, focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence in public education, requiring the Department of Education to create safety guidelines and oversee a pilot
Key Provisions
- Department of Education to compile information on AIS use in public schools, consulting with school divisions and stakeholders.
- Establishment of guidance for safe, ethical, and equitable AIS use.
- Creation of the AIS Innovation in Education Pilot Program for funding, evaluating, and scaling innovative uses of AIS, expiring July 1, 2030.
- School boards must implement policies consistent with Department guidance.
- Annual reporting on pilot program effectiveness and outcomes to the Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by December 1.
Latest Legislative Action
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0943)
Bill Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Stella Pekarsky D | Sponsor | SD-036 |
Roll Call Votes (showing 3 of 12)
H ·
Conference report agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A) ·
Mar 13, 2026
95 Yea
0 Nay
4 Other
Passed ✓
S ·
Conference report agreed to by Senate (37-Y 2-N 0-A) ·
Mar 13, 2026
37 Yea
2 Nay
1 Other
Passed ✓
S ·
Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) ·
Mar 12, 2026
40 Yea
0 Nay
Passed ✓
Compliance Checklist
Establish and enforce policies consistent with AIS guidance
Who: Each school board
Deadline: Ongoing, as guidance is developed
Who: Each school board
Deadline: Ongoing, as guidance is developed
Participate in the AIS Innovation in Education Pilot Program
Who: Selected school divisions
Deadline: As determined by the Department
Who: Selected school divisions
Deadline: As determined by the Department
Related & Companion Bills
Full Legal Analysis
SB394, identical to HB 1186, requires the Virginia Department of Education to compile information on current uses of artificial intelligence systems (AIS) in public schools and to develop guidance for
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View SB394 on official legislature website →
Related Topics
Affected Industries
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