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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session
SB529Public schools; school security and discipline, employment of school security officers, training.
Direction
FirearmscarryAI label
↑Expands gun accessmodel confidence 80%
Allows more former law-enforcement officers to carry firearms as school security officers by updating training requirements and easing some prior restrictions on who qualifies, so greater ability to carry firearms in schools.
Such school security officer may carry a firearm in the performance of his duties if (i) within 10 years immediately prior to being hired by the local school board or private or religious school he (a) was an active law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101 in the Commonwealth or (b) was employed by a law-enforcement agency of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof and his duties were substantially similar to those of a law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101; (ii) he retired or resigned from his position as a law-enforcement officer in good standing; (iv
⚠ Quote could not be matched to the bill text: treat this label with caution
FirearmsotherAI label
=No change to gun accessmodel confidence 70%
Updates compulsory training standards for school security officers who carry firearms, replacing 'active shooter emergency' with 'critical incident preparedness and response' while keeping requirements for behavioral threat assessment and other topics, resulting in no net change to firearm access or
The Department shall require any school security officer who carries a firearm in the performance of his duties to provide proof that he has completed a training course provided by a federal, state, or local law-enforcement agency that includes training in [deleted: active shooter emergency] critical incident preparedness and response, emergency evacuation procedure, and behavioral threat assessment;
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Filed (completed)
Committee (completed)
Passed one chamber (completed)
Passed both (completed)
Governor (completed)
Law
Stage: Law · step 6 of 6
Last action
2026-04-08: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0503)
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill addresses school security officers' ability to carry firearms by expanding eligibility to recently retired or resigned officers from qualifying agencies, adding verification steps but overall increasing who may be authorized to carry in schools. It also makes a neutral update to required training language by deleting 'active shooter emergency' and inserting broader critical incident terms, with no substantive change to firearm restrictions or access.
Related bills
HB1035Public schools; school security and discipline, employment of school security officers, training.↑Expands gun access=No change to gun access Committee
HB229Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services.↓Restricts gun access↓Restricts gun access Law
HB101Concealed handguns; alternate methods of submission of applications for permits.↑Expands gun access Law
HB1524Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty.↓Restricts gun access=No change to gun access Law
Hearings and calendar
2026-01-29 19:00 · Hearing · Senate Education and Health-Public Education Hearing Senate Room C, Room 311, General Assembly Building
2026-02-05 08:30 · Hearing · Senate Education and Health Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-02-27 08:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety Hearing House Committee Room A - 008
Votes
Date
Chamber
Motion
Yea-Nay
2026-02-05
S
Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)
15-0
Passed
2026-02-06
S
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)