Why 3/5: The bill establishes new data privacy protections for college student-athletes, impacting institutional operations and student rights.
Virginia's colleges and universities would face new operational requirements, prohibiting them from sharing student-athlete biometric data without prior written consent. The bill also grants college student-athletes new rights by preventing institutions or entities from making biometric data ownership a condition of name, image, or likeness (NIL) contracts without separate, explicit consent.
Cleared committee
Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)
Update
Rules suspended
Update
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Update
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Third reading
Read third time
Passed a chamber
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Enrolled
Passed a chamber
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB971ER)
Passed a chamber
Signed by Speaker
This bill has passed its votes and is headed to the Governor's desk. You still have a say — the Governor's office reads messages before deciding whether to sign.
New to all this? See how a bill becomes law →
Summarized from the official bill text (“College student-athletes; biometric data, protections and limitations.”) · Read the actual bill →
Passed a chamber
Signed by President
Update
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB971)
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026
Sent to the Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 247 (effective 7/1/2026)
Update
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0247)