Subcommittee endorses urging schools to promote 988 for bullying and cyberbullying (HB 957)

The submission subcommittee reported a substitute to HB 957 directing the Department of Education to encourage local school boards and schools to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and, where appropriate, anonymous reporting options to address bullying and cyberbullying.

Sponsor remarks noted an initial idea for a dedicated crisis bullying line was abandoned because of cost; the substitute instead leverages the federally supported 988 system and printed outreach already used in schools. When asked whether calls to 988 would be private, the sponsor replied 988 is a nationwide suicide prevention line and existing privacy practices apply.

Witnesses including Sid Nabors (Virginia Education Association), Stacy Haney (School Board Association) and Tom Smith (Superintendents Association) testified in support, calling the measure a resource and awareness effort rather than a mandatory new hotline. The subcommittee recorded the vote to report the substitute as 10 to 0 and referred the bill to appropriations.