SB394Introduced in the Senate
Artificial intelligence; use of systems for student instruction.
Introduced by Stella Pekarsky, District 36
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Department of Education; artificial intelligence system use in instructional settings; development of AIS safety guidance required; AIS Innovation in Education Pilot Program established; report. Requires the Department of Education, in consultation with school divisions and other relevant stakeholders, to compile information on current uses of artificial intelligence systems (AIS) for student instruction in public schools in the Commonwealth and to establish and post in a publicly accessible location on its website guidance for the safe, ethical, and equitable use of AIS in instructional settings in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill requires each school board to establish, implement, and enforce policies consistent with the guidance developed by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The bill also directs the Department to establish and oversee the AIS Innovation in Education Pilot Program for the purpose of funding, evaluating, and scaling innovative uses of AIS in public elementary and secondary schools by providing support to school divisions in piloting AIS applications for instruction, tutoring, student engagement, operational efficiency, and teacher support and to submit an annual report to the Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by December 1. The Pilot Program has an expiration date of July 1, 2030. This bill is identical to HB 1186.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0943)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
8 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Conference report agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 13, 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
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105454D
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)
Assigned Education sub: Public Education
Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day
Read second time
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 1-N 0-A)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation
Referred from Communications, Technology and Innovation and referred to Education (Voice Vote)
Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)
House subcommittee offered
Reported from Education with substitute (20-Y 1-N)
Committee substitute printed 26108797D-H1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)
Read second time
Read third time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Passed House with substitute (96-Y 1-N 0-A)
House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)
House insisted on substitute
House requested conference committee
Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Conferees appointed by Senate
Senate Conferees: Pekarsky, Favola, Head
Conferees appointed by House
House Conferees: Rasoul, Maldonado, Cherry
Conference Report released
Conference report agreed to by Senate (37-Y 2-N 0-A)
Conference report agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB394ER)
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB394)
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 943 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0943)
Verify the information
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