At-Risk Student Health Programs - Mental Health Services and Nurse Hiring
Summary
Virginia enacted SB33, expanding the At-Risk Program to include funding for student mental and physical health services in public schools. The bill permits funding to be used for hiring licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses. The legislation takes effect July 1, 2026, and passed with unanimous support in both chambers.
What changed
Virginia SB33 amends the At-Risk Program to add mental and physical health initiatives as permissible uses of funding. The bill specifically authorizes public schools to use At-Risk Program funds for hiring licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNS). The legislation is a recommendation of the School Health Services Committee and is identical to HB 195.
Public schools in Virginia should review their current At-Risk Program allocations and identify opportunities to fund mental health services and nursing positions. Schools seeking to expand health services should consult with the Virginia Department of Education on program eligibility and application requirements. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2026.
What to do next
- Assess current mental health and nursing service gaps in your school division
- Update budget proposals to incorporate expanded At-Risk Program allowable uses
- Consult with legal counsel on implementation requirements for new health hiring
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Virginia / SB33 Enacted SB33 Senate Bill Enacted 2026-04-02
Programs for at-risk students; permissible uses of funding.
Programs for at-risk students; permissible uses of funding. Includes as covered programs that are eligible for funding under the At-Risk Program initiatives to support both the physical and mental health of students in public schools, including the hiring of licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses. This bill is a recommendation of the School Health Services Committee and is identical to HB 195.
Bill Details
State Virginia
Session 2026 Regular Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB33
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Sponsors
Barbara Favola (Sen - D) Christie New Craig (Sen - R)
Action History
2026-04-02 Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0050) 2026-04-02 Approved by Governor-Chapter 50 (effective 7/1/2026) 2026-03-10 Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 2026-03-10 S Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 2026-03-05 S Signed by President 2026-03-05 H Signed by Speaker 2026-03-05 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB33) 2026-03-05 S Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB33ER) 2026-03-05 S Enrolled 2026-03-02 H Passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-03-02 H Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House 2026-03-02 H Passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-03-02 H Read third time 2026-02-27 H Read second time 2026-02-25 H Reported from Education (22-Y 0-N) 2026-02-18 H Referred to Committee on Education 2026-02-18 H Read first time 2026-02-18 H Placed on Calendar 2026-02-13 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB33) 2026-02-13 S Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-12 S Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote) 2026-02-12 S Finance and Appropriations Amendment agreed to 2026-02-12 S Read second time 2026-02-11 S Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) 2026-02-11 S Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-11 S Rules suspended 2026-02-10 S Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendments (15-Y 0-N) 2026-02-04 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB33) 2026-01-29 S Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N) 2026-01-15 S Assigned Education sub: Public Education 2025-11-19 S Referred to Committee on Education and Health 2025-11-19 S Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100144D
Votes
2026-01-29 Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N) Yea: 14 Nay: 0 2026-02-10 Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendments (15-Y 0-N) Yea: 15 Nay: 0 2026-02-11 Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 40 Nay: 0 2026-02-13 Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 39 Nay: 0 2026-02-25 Reported from Education (22-Y 0-N) Yea: 22 Nay: 0 2026-03-02 Passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 98 Nay: 0 2026-03-02 Passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 99 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2025-11-19 S Education and Health 2026-01-15 S Education: Public Education 2026-01-29 S Finance and Appropriations 2026-02-18 H Education
Amendments
0000-00-00 Finance and Appropriations Amendment
Bill Text Versions
2025-11-19 Introduced 2026-02-12 Engrossed 2026-03-05 Enrolled 2026-04-02 Chaptered Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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