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HB653Introduced in the House of Delegates

Excused student absences; visitation of immediate family members on active duty military, etc.

Passed

Introduced by Hillary Pugh Kent, District 67

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Excused student absences for visitation of immediate family members in connection with deployment. Allots five excused absences to any student whose immediate family member is active duty military and has received orders for, is on leave from, or has recently returned from deployment outside the United States for the purpose of visitation with such family member, provided that the student provides written documentation verifying such leave or deployment if requested by the local school division.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0193)

April 6, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

House of DelegatesStage: Senate amendment agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 4, 2026

95

Yes

0

No

4

Absent or Not Voting

99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each delegate voted

DelegateDistrictVote
Patrick Hope1Yes
Adele McClure2Yes
Alfonso Lopez3Yes
Charniele Herring4Yes
Kirk McPike5Yes
Richard Sullivan6Yes
Karen Keys-Gamarra7Yes
Irene Shin8Yes
Karrie Delaney9Yes
Dan Helmer10Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104899D

  2. Referred to Committee on Education

  3. Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee

  4. House subcommittee offered

  5. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 2-N)

  6. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB653)

  7. House committee offered

  8. Reported from Education with substitute (13-Y 2-N)

  9. Reported from Education with substitute (21-Y 1-N)

  10. Committee substitute printed 26106668D-H1

  11. Read first time

  12. Read second time

  13. committee substitute agreed to

  14. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  15. Read third time and passed House (94-Y 2-N 0-A)

  16. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB653)

  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  18. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

  19. Assigned Education sub: Public Education

  20. Senate committee offered

  21. Reported from Education and Health with amendment (15-Y 0-N)

  22. Rules suspended

  23. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

  24. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  25. Read third time

  26. Committee amendment agreed to (Voice Vote)

  27. Engrossed by Senate as amended

  28. Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  29. Senate amendment agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)

  30. Enrolled

  31. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB653ER)

  32. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB653)

  33. Signed by President

  34. Signed by Speaker

  35. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

  36. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  37. Approved by Governor-Chapter 193 (effective 7/1/2026)

  38. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0193)

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