RICHMOND — The Virginia General Assembly has delivered a resounding victory for religious freedom by passing House Bill 131, a measure that compels public institutions of higher education to offer reasonable accommodations for the religious beliefs and practices of individual students. Enrolled on March 6, 2026, and signed by both the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on the same day, HB131 now awaits action from the Governor, marking a pivotal advancement in protecting students’ rights amid the demands of higher education.

HB131 amends the Code of Virginia by adding a new section numbered 23.1-401.4. The bill explicitly requires each public institution of higher education to provide reasonable accommodations for students’ religious beliefs and practices in key areas: admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work assignments. This provision ensures that no student faces undue burdens on their faith due to institutional policies.

Furthermore, the legislation mandates that every such institution must describe a clear grievance procedure in its student handbook—or an equivalent document—and in its faculty handbook or equivalent. This procedure empowers any student who believes they have been unreasonably denied accommodations to seek redress, establishing a structured mechanism for accountability and resolution.

The bill’s journey through the legislature underscores its broad appeal and urgency. Prefiled on January 3, 2026, and ordered printed with print number 26104369D for offering on January 14, 2026, HB131 was swiftly referred to the House Committee on Education. On January 23, it was assigned to the Higher Education subcommittee, which recommended reporting it out unanimously on January 27 with a 9-0 vote. The full Education Committee followed on January 28, reporting it favorably 21-0, accompanied by the first Fiscal Impact Statement from the Department of Planning and Budget.

The House took up the bill promptly. Read for the first time on January 30, it advanced to second reading and engrossment on February 2, moved from the Uncontested Calendar to the Regular Calendar that day. On February 3, after third reading, the House passed HB131 overwhelmingly by a 94-2 margin, sending it to the Senate.

In the upper chamber, the Senate dispensed with constitutional reading on first passage on February 4 and referred it to the Committee on Education and Health, assigning it to the Higher Education subcommittee on February 23. The committee reported it favorably on February 26 with a 13-0-2 vote. Rules were suspended on February 27, constitutional reading on second passage dispensed by 37-0, and it passed by for the day on block vote. Finally, on March 2, the Senate passed the bill 39-0 after third reading.

Multiple Fiscal Impact Statements from the Department of Planning and Budget were issued throughout the process—on January 28, February 3, February 26, and March 6—indicating thorough scrutiny of the bill’s budgetary implications, with the final bill text as passed by both chambers labeled HB131ER.

HB131’s near-unanimous passage in both chambers—94-2 in the 100-member House and 39-0 in the 40-member Senate—highlights the legislature’s commitment to safeguarding religious observance in academic settings. By embedding these protections into law, Virginia ensures that public universities prioritize the individual rights of students rooted in their faith traditions, fostering an environment where education and belief coexist without conflict.

This measure builds on fundamental principles of liberty, requiring institutions to balance academic rigor with respect for personal convictions. The inclusion of a formalized grievance process further strengthens accountability, compelling administrators and faculty to address denials of accommodations transparently and fairly.

As the bill reaches the Governor’s desk, its enrollment reflects the General Assembly’s unified resolve. Public colleges across Virginia, from the University of Virginia to Virginia Tech and community colleges statewide, will soon implement these requirements, promoting a campus culture that honors diverse religious practices while upholding educational standards.

The swift progression from prefiling to enrollment in under three months demonstrates effective legislative cooperation on an issue vital to Virginia families. HB131 stands as a testament to the enduring value placed on religious freedom in the Commonwealth, ensuring that students can pursue knowledge without compromising their core beliefs.