Virginia Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws: Virginia Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

113,783 active-duty service members
48,542 active-duty spouses
96,065 active-duty children
- 59,381 children in K-12
55,325 National Guard and reserve members
21,188 National Guard and reserve spouses
34,658 National Guard and reserve children
- 22,316 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Christopher Arnold

Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison

Mid-Atlantic Region

DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became Mid-Atlantic region liaison in 2020. Prior to joining the DSLO, he spent eight years as a top-level staffer in both houses of the New York legislature, four years as director of public affairs in New York's third-largest city and three years managing several units of county government. Mr. Arnold is a former journalist and U.S. Army combat veteran.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts17/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Athletic Trainer Compact

02/25/2026HB 574

04/08/2026

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

02/20/2023HB 2033

02/07/2023HB 2033

03/24/2023

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

02/12/2024HB 322

03/04/2024HB 322

04/04/2024

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

02/23/2024HB 225

01/31/2024HB 225

03/22/2024

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

03/01/2016

Esthetics Licensure Compact

02/25/2026HB 1247

04/07/2026

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

02/25/2026HB 255

04/10/2026

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

02/19/2025HB 2448

02/09/2025HB 2448

03/21/2025

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

03/05/2026HB 253

02/25/2026HB 253

04/07/2026

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

01/30/2023HB 1433

01/27/2023SB802

03/27/2023

Nurse Licensure Compact

03/01/2016

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

02/19/2021SB 1189

01/25/2021SB 1189

03/18/2021

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

02/13/2019SB1106

01/29/2019SB1106

03/08/2019

Physician Associates Compact

02/13/2024HB 324

03/04/2024HB 324

03/27/2024

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

02/28/2020SB 760

02/10/2020SB 760

04/11/2020

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

02/25/2026HB 575

04/07/2026

Social Work Licensure Compact

02/13/2024HB 326

03/05/2024SB 239

04/08/2024

Military Spouse Employment Preference2/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

02/19/2025HB2736

03/21/2025

Employment Preference - Public Sector

Employment Preference - Procurement

02/19/2025HB2751

03/25/2025

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/25/2026HB1207

04/22/2026

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers2/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

03/21/2005

Streamline Requirements Final Legislation

Virginia's 30-day compliance window for relocating homeschool families recognizes their unique needs, allowing them reasonable time to understand and meet new state requirements. It also helps prevent educational disruption during cross-state transitions.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

04/02/2024

Clarify JROTC Eligibility Final Legislation

Allowing homeschooled students to participated in JROTC programs maintains cultural connections and leadership development opportunities for homeschooled military children. Virginia's law ensures local school divisions comply with federal JROTC access requirements.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/15/2024HB 739

03/05/2024SB 702

03/08/2024

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

02/19/2025HB 1880

03/25/2025

Reduce Burdens

04/01/2022

Reduce Burdens Final Legislation

Virginia is the best practice model for enhancing parental consent. States can strengthen the opportunities for parents to participate in decision-making regarding any potential changes to their children’s educational program by requiring enhanced parental consent prior to taking any significant actions.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements3/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment

09/30/2025

Advance Enrollment Final Legislation

Virginia has facilitated effective implementation of advance enrollment through statutory enhancements that clarify requirements and procedures.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Student Identifier (MSI)

09/30/2025

Military Student Identifier (MSI) Final Legislation

Through education policy implementation and information enhancements to its student identification system, Virginia has supported military-connected children and ensured families are empowered with the knowledge they need by clarifying requirements, enhancing communication efforts and streamlining access to information.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

09/30/2025

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children Final Legislation

Virginia has facilitated effective implementation of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, through statutory enhancements contain that appoint additional State Compact Council members to directly represent the needs of military families. Their contact information is accessible through the State Council's website.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Purple Star Schools Program

09/30/2025

Purple Star Schools Program Final Legislation

Virginia features minimum qualifications for first-time applications and enhanced requirements for renewals to achieve a Purple Star designation, including addressing the additional transitional needs of military-connected students who receive special education services.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/19/2025HB 1881

03/25/2025

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/16/2003

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction Final Legislation

Jurisdiction of cases involving violations of federal law by a child shall be concurrent, the key being that concurrent jurisdiction is automatic once exclusive federal jurisdiction is waived by the United States Department of Justice.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

02/19/2025HB 1882

02/19/2025SB 751

03/24/2025

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

02/19/2025HB 1882

02/19/2025SB 751

03/24/2025

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/08/2021

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

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