The Virginia Senate voted Tuesday afternoon to require schools to provide an in-person option. The bill from Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico) would go into effect in July, meaning it would impact local school districts’ plans for the upcoming school year. Dunnavant and Republican supporters were joined by a handful of Senate Democrats in approving the bill, including Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax). They pointed to support for re-opening from the American Association of Physicians and other medical professionals. On the floor of the Senate, Dunnavant said that the downsides of virtual learning have been devastating. “We have safety issues, food insecurity, broadband, and IT inadequacy, we have an incredible strain on families across the state,” she said.