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HB 2063

School employees; reports of certain arrests and convictions.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Garrett and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia schools must report employee arrests and convictions for specific crimes to school divisions within required timeframes, effective July 1, 2025.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0234)
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Bill Summary · HB 2063

Legislative bill overview

HB 2063 requires Virginia school employees to report arrests and convictions for specific criminal offenses to their school division within a defined timeframe. The bill establishes reporting obligations for crimes including felonies, certain misdemeanors involving violence or drugs, and offenses against children, with penalties for non-compliance.

Why is this important

School safety and child protection depend partly on identifying employees with concerning criminal histories. This law creates a formal mechanism to ensure school administrators have timely information about employee arrests and convictions, potentially preventing individuals with serious criminal records from remaining in positions with access to children. The reporting requirement bridges gaps between court systems and school employment records.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Reporting arrests (not just convictions) may violate employee privacy rights, as arrests don't establish guilt and could damage reputations if charges are later dismissed
  • False positives and due process: Automatic reporting requirements based on arrest charges rather than final convictions could trigger employment actions against employees later exonerated
  • Implementation burden: School divisions must establish reporting systems and timelines; unclear whether law provides sufficient guidance on procedures, documentation, and who bears verification responsibilities
  • Definition scope: The specific criminal offenses included may be too broad (capturing minor misdemeanors) or too narrow (missing relevant crimes), creating inconsistent protections

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

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