HB 145

            
2020 SESSION

20101310D

HOUSE BILL NO. 145


Offered January 8, 2020


Prefiled December 18, 2019

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section 
 numbered 22.1-23.3, relating to public elementary and secondary schools; 
 treatment of transgender students; policies.
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Patrons-- Simon, Levine, Lopez, Ayala, Carr, Cole, J.G., Delaney, Guzman,
Hope, Jenkins, Kory, Krizek, Plum, Price, Rasoul, Roem, Samirah, Sickles,
Simonds, Subramanyam, Tran and Willett


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Referred to Committee on Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 
 
 
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section 
 numbered 22.1-23.3 as follows: 
 
 
� 22.1-23.3. Treatment 
 of transgender students; policies.
 
 
A. The Department of 
 Education shall develop and make available to each 
 school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in 
 public elementary and secondary schools that address common issues 
 regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices 
 and include information, guidance, 
 procedures, and standards relating to:
 
 
1. Compliance 
 with applicable nondiscrimination laws;
 
 
2. Maintenance 
 of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and 
 harassment for all students;
 
 
3. Prevention of and 
 response to bullying and harassment;
 
 
4. Maintenance 
 of student records;
 
 
5. Identification of 
 students;
 
 
6. Protection of student 
 privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive 
 information;
 
 
7. Enforcement of sex-based 
 dress codes; and
 
 
8. Student 
 participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and athletics 
 and use of school facilities.
 
 
B. Each school board shall 
 adopt policies that are consistent with but may be more comprehensive than the 
 model policies developed by the Department of Education pursuant to subsection 
 A.
 
 
2. That the Department of Education shall develop and make 
 available to each school board model policies pursuant to subsection A of � 
 22.1-23.3 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, no later than December 31, 2020.
 
 
3. That each school board shall adopt policies pursuant to 
 subsection B of � 22.1-23.3 of the Code of Virginia, 
 as created by this act, no later than the beginning 
 of the 2021�2022 school year.