Text of VA SB 20 (2022)

22100849D SENATE BILL NO. 20 Offered January 12, 2022 Prefiled December 22, 2021 A BILL to amend and reenact §22.1-23.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to treatment of transgender students; policies. ---------- Patron-- Hackworth ---------- Referred to Committee on Education and Health ---------- Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That §22.1-23.3 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: §22.1-23.3. Treatment of transgender students; model 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 and events and use of school facilities. Activities and events do not include athletics. 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.