Bill Text: VA HB1998 | 2021 | 1st Special Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Public schools; lock-down drills, annual requirement.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-02-25 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0026) [HB1998 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-HB1998-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §22.1-137.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§22.1-137.2. Lock-down drills.
A. In every public school there shall be a lock-down drill at
least twice once during the first 20 school days of each school
session, in order that students and teachers may be thoroughly practiced in
such drills. Every public school shall hold at least one additional lock-down
drill after the first 60 days of the school session. Every public school shall
provide the parents of enrolled students with at least 24 hours' notice before
the school conducts any lock-down drill, provided, however, that nothing in
this section shall be construed to require such notice to include the exact
date and time of the lock-down drill.
B. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students shall be exempt from mandatory participation in lock-down drills during the first 60 days of the school session. Local school boards shall develop policies to implement such exemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, each pre-kindergarten and kindergarten student shall participate in each lock-down drill after the first 60 days of each school session.
