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2020 SPECIAL SESSION I

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HB 5095 COVID-19; impact of distance learning, Department of Health to develop criteria and information.

Introduced by: M. Keith Hodges | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

COVID-19; impact of distance learning; Department of Health to develop criteria and information; civil immunity; emergency. Directs the Department of Health to work with the Department of Education and representatives of the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and other appropriate stakeholders to develop specific criteria for assessing the long-term impact of distance learning on students in the Commonwealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency, including the impact of distance learning on students' health, mental health, social and emotional development, and academic achievement, and provides that any school board that considers such criteria and information in determining whether to offer in-person education shall be immune from civil liability for any civil cause of action arising from any act or omission alleged to have resulted in the contraction of or exposure to COVID-19, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct. The bill requires school boards that opt to allow in-person education to provide distance learning options for students who choose not to return to school for in-person education during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The bill contains an emergency clause.


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