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Bill

SB 685

School bd. policies; communication & language accessibility for limited English proficient parents.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Carroll Foy and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia schools must improve language accessibility for limited-English-proficient parents and report compliance measures to ensure meaningful educational participation.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 765 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · SB 685

Legislative bill overview

SB 685 requires Virginia schools to improve communication and language accessibility for parents with limited English proficiency (LEP). The bill mandates schools develop and implement strategies to ensure LEP parents can meaningfully participate in their children's education and school decision-making processes. It also requires submission of a report detailing these accessibility measures and compliance efforts.

Why is this important

Approximately 10% of Virginia's school population comes from homes where English is not the primary language. Limited communication access can create barriers to parental involvement, parent-teacher collaboration, and informed decision-making about special education, discipline, and academic planning. Improved accessibility directly affects educational outcomes and family engagement disparities.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools must provide interpreters, translated materials, and multilingual staff—expenses that vary significantly by district size and existing LEP population
  • Language prioritization: Determining which languages to prioritize in each school district based on demographics versus covering all represented languages
  • Compliance measurement: Defining what constitutes "meaningful access" and how schools will be evaluated, with concerns about unfunded mandates without clear benchmarks

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

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