Bill Text: VA HB663 | 2024 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: School Divisions of Innovation; regulatory exemptions, clock hours of instruction.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-07 - Incorporated by Education [HB663 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB663-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§22.1-2.1 and 22.1-212.29 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§22.1-2.1. Provision of in-person instruction.
A. As used in this section, "in-person instruction" means instructional interaction between teachers and students that occurs in person and in real time. "In-person instruction" does not include the act of proctoring remote online learning in a classroom.
B. Except as otherwise permitted in subdivision C 4 of § 22.1-98, §22.1-212.29, or Article 3 (§ 22.1-276.01 et seq.) of Chapter 14, each school board shall offer in-person instruction to each student enrolled in the local school division in a public elementary and secondary school for at least the minimum number of required annual instructional hours and to each student enrolled in the local school division in a public school-based early childhood care and education program for the entirety of the instructional time provided pursuant to such program.
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any regulation, rule, or policy implemented by a school board, school division, school official, or other state or local authority, the parent of any child enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school, or in any school-based early childhood care and education program, may elect for such child to not wear a mask while on school property. A parent making such an election shall not be required to provide a reason or any certification of the child's health or education status. No student shall suffer any adverse disciplinary or academic consequences as a result of this parental election. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the Governor's authority under Chapter 3.2 (§44-146.13 et seq.) of Title 44 to accomplish the purposes of such chapter with regard to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16.
§22.1-212.29. Purpose.
The Board shall promulgate regulations for the designation of School Divisions of Innovation in which the local school board in the local school division so designated shall, pursuant to a plan of innovation, be exempted from selected regulatory provisions, including the requirement for a student to successfully complete 140 clock hours of instruction in order to earn a standard or verified unit of credit, and be permitted to adopt alternative policies for school administrators, teachers, and staff to meet the diverse needs of students.
