WatchGov

Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 1041

DOC; powers and duties of Director, Virginia Prison Education Task Force established, report.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (5)

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

Department of Corrections; functional literacy program for incarcerated individuals; Virginia Prison Education Task Force established; report. Requires the Superintendent employed by the Director of Corrections to (i) by January 1, 2027, develop a functional literacy program for inmates testing below at least an eighth grade level, instead of a twelfth grade level as required by current law, and include in such program evidence-based literacy instruction, as defined in accordance with applicable law; (iii) share data with (a) the state entity that oversees the management, direction, and governance of the Commonwealth's education and workforce data for the purpose of developing educational, health, social service, and employment outcome data and improving the efficacy of state services and (b) the Virginia Community College System necessary for comprehensive community colleges to apply for and maintain eligibility as Federal Pell Grant-eligible prison education programs; and (iv) track and publicly report at least annually the number of incarcerated individuals eligible for, enrolled in, and waitlisted for the literacy and education programs. The bill also establishes the Virginia Prison Education Task Force for the purpose of implementing a consistent education program across all state correctional facilities operated by the Department. The bill requires the Task Force to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on its activities, findings, and recommendations by November 1, 2026. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Education to, by November 1, 2026, (a) review and update the salary schedules for teachers licensed by the Board of Education and employed by the Department of Corrections to provide instruction in the schools of the correctional centers to be competitive with those in effect for the school division in which the correctional facility is located and (b) make recommendations for the inclusion of such teacher salary increases in the appropriation act.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 13, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 13, 2026
Senate		Adopt Conference Committee Report RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 11, 2026
Senate		Insist & Request RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 10, 2026
House		H VOTE:failSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 9, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 5, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 4, 2026
Senate		Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 27, 2026
Senate		Reported from Rehabilitation and Social ServicespassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 17, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 11, 2026
House		Reported from Appropriations with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 11, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 30, 2026
House		Reported from Public Safety with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 29, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see

Actions