Senate Bill 5 (SB5) is a piece of legislation passed in the Virginia General Assembly during the 2024 Legislative Session. Its formal title is " STEM+C Competition Team Grant Program; established." The bill originated in the Senate of the State of Virginia. Its Chief Patron was Senator William M. Stanley, Jr (R - 7), along with Senator Christie New Craig (R - 19), and Senator Danica Roem (D - 30). 

The bill establishes a new state grant program to support and encourage extracurricular competition teams in Virginia public schools focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing. The "+C" emphasizes an inclusion of specific computing related fields. The grants can be used to establish new teams, or support existing teams. 

Senate Bill 5 Text

The Metal Jackets travelled to the Virginia State House and met with several lawmakers to urge its passing. Members met with Delegates Carrie Coyner, Sam Rasoul, Brianna Sewell, Anne Ferrell Tata, Baxter Ennis, Ellen Campbell, and more! These meetings were vital to get information to Delegates about the bill and to support its passing.

• SB5 was formally introduced in the Senate in January of 2024

• It passed both the Senate and House of Delegates unanimously; (40 - 0) and (97 - 0)

• The Governor of Virginia signed the bill into law on March 26th, 2024 - It became Chapter 151 of the Acts of Assembly. 

• As of July 1st, 2024, it is law. 

SB5 was designed to expand opportunities and engage students to participate in STEM+C extracurriculars across Virginia. By creating a state grant program, the bill lowers financial barriers for schools to create and sustain competition teams in areas such as engineering, coding, and robotics, to support costs like equipment, travel, and registration. This not only strengthens extracurricular opportunities but also helps level the playing field for disadvantaged schools, ensuring more students can participate. Ultimately, SB5 aims to build a stronger, more equitable pipeline into Virginia’s future workforce in technology, innovation, and engineering.