HB38Introduced in the House of Delegates
Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction, requirements.
Introduced by Rozia Henson, District 19
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction; requirements. Requires each teacher and other relevant personnel, as determined by the applicable school board, employed on a full-time basis to complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders in accordance with evidence-based best practices developed by the American Psychological Association. Current law requires such teachers and personnel to complete mental health awareness training but does not contain any requirements relating to the specific topics such training must address. The bill prohibits any of its provisions or any policy adopted in accordance with its provisions from being construed to permit biased or discriminatory treatment of any youth population deemed to be at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0047)
April 2, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) · March 2, 2026
21
Yes
19
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | No |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | No |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | No |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101402D
Referred to Committee on Education
Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee
Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)
Reported from Education (16-Y 6-N)
Read first time
Read second time and engrossed
Read third time and passed House (68-Y 31-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB38)
Assigned Education sub: Public Education
Reported from Education and Health (9-Y 6-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB38ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB38)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 47 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0047)
Verify the information
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