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Bill

SB 560

Public elementary schools, etc.; student participation in sports, civil cause of action.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tammy Mulchi and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia bill creating civil lawsuits against public elementary schools over sports participation policies was killed by committee, 9-6.

Passed by indefinitely in Education and Health (9-Y 6-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 560

Legislative bill overview

SB 560 would create a civil cause of action allowing individuals to sue public elementary schools over policies governing student participation in sports. The bill was prefiled in January 2026 and passed indefinitely (killed) by the Education and Health Committee on January 29, 2026, with a 9-6 vote.

Why is this important

This legislation would establish new legal liability for schools regarding sports participation policies, potentially exposing school districts to lawsuits and affecting how schools make decisions about athletic eligibility, team assignments, and competitive fairness. The bill's defeat suggests the Virginia legislature decided such policies should remain within school administrative discretion rather than become subject to litigation.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify which sports policies would trigger liability (eligibility criteria, team placement, inclusion/exclusion decisions), creating uncertainty about what schools could legally enforce
  • Litigation burden: Creating civil causes of action increases litigation costs for school districts, potentially diverting education funding to legal expenses
  • Policy specificity: The bill appears designed to challenge existing athletic policies, likely related to eligibility rules or team composition, but the legislative record doesn't clarify the specific policy dispute driving this proposal

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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