Subcommittee Agenda

Courts of Justice - Criminal Subcommittee Agenda

Chair: Watts, Vivian E.

Meeting Date & Time: 02/11/2026 15 minutes after adjournment of full committee Add to Calendar

Location: House Committee Room C - 206

Testimony/Comments: Sign up to speak or submit comments (opens in a new window)

Notes: This patron notice will be updated with additional bills as they are approved.

Additional Resource(s):

Public Comments

Active item: Meeting Adjourned

Video: Archived

Committee Clerk: Avery McDaniel (804) 698-1544

DLS Contact: Troy Hatcher (804) 698-1829

Block 1

Bill(s)	Patron	Title
HB295	Cornett	Aggravated murder; adds correctional officers to definition, punishment.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-31 of the Code of Virginia, relating to aggravated murder defined; correctional officers; punishment. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N) Yeas (10): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 2/12/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/13/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (13-Y 8-N) 2/15/2026 - Read first time 2/16/2026 - Read second time and engrossed 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (87-Y 7-N 0-A) Senate Committee Actions: • 2/18/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) • 2/18/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice • 2/25/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice docket for Feb 25, 2026 Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
HB320	Cole, J.G.	Live streaming while driving; prohibited, penalty.
Summary: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-818.3, relating to live streaming while driving; prohibited; penalty. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N) Yeas (9): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Whittle Nays (1): Davis Last actions: 3/16/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB320) 4/22/2026 - House concurred in Governor's recommendation (90-Y 10-N 0-A) 4/22/2026 - Reenrolled 4/22/2026 - Reenrolled bill text (HB320ER2) 4/22/2026 - Signed by Speaker Senate Committee Actions: • 3/3/2026 - Floor offered Senator Bagby Amendment • 3/3/2026 - Floor offered Senator Bagby Amendment • 3/12/2026 - Signed by President • 4/22/2026 - Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (25-Y 14-N 0-A) • 4/22/2026 - Signed by President Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)
HB489	Hope	Restorative justice practices; definitions, effect of participation, immunity from civil liability.
Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 19.2 a chapter numbered 1.4, consisting of sections numbered 19.2-11.15 and 19.2-11.16, relating to restorative justice practices. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N) Yeas (7): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt Nays (3): Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 2/15/2026 - Read first time 2/16/2026 - Read second time 2/16/2026 - committee substitute agreed to 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (61-Y 36-N 0-A) Senate Committee Actions: • 2/18/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice • 3/5/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice docket for Mar 05, 2026 • 3/5/2026 - Senate committee offered • 3/5/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (8-Y 6-N) • 3/6/2026 - Committee substitute printed 26109133D-S1 Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)
HB1277	Hamilton	Aggravated murder; admission to bail, creates rebuttable presumption against bail.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-31, 19.2-36, 19.2-120, 19.2-123, and 19.2-124 of the Code of Virginia, relating to aggravated murder; admission to bail; rebuttable presumption against bail; magistrates. Fiscal Impact Last actions: 1/14/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice 1/15/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/15/2026 11:18 am) 2/4/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1277) 2/7/2026 - Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal 2/10/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
HB1413	Schmidt	Limitation on sentence upon revocation of suspension of sentence; technical violations.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 19.2-265.6 and 19.2-306.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to limitation on sentence upon revocation of suspension of sentence; technical violations. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N) Yeas (7): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt Nays (3): Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 2/16/2026 - Read second time 2/16/2026 - committee substitute agreed to 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A) 2/24/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1413) Senate Committee Actions: • 2/18/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) • 2/18/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice • 3/9/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice docket for Mar 09, 2026 Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)

Block 2

Bill(s)	Patron	Title
HB99	Ballard	Felony eluding; mandatory minimum term in correctional facility.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-817 of the Code of Virginia, relating to felony eluding; mandatory minimum. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 3-N) Yeas (7): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt Nays (3): Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 1/6/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/6/2026 3:19 pm) 1/8/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB99) 2/10/2026 - Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal 2/10/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/11/2026 - Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 3-N) Criminal Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 3-N)
HB102	Ballard	Voluntary manslaughter; increases penalty.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-35 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voluntary manslaughter; penalty. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (4-Y 6-N) Yeas (4): Watts, Williams, Davis, Whittle Nays (6): Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt Last actions: 1/6/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/6/2026 3:46 pm) 1/21/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB102) 2/10/2026 - Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal 2/10/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/11/2026 - Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (4-Y 6-N) Criminal Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (4-Y 6-N)
HB124	Reaser	Assault and battery; adds district court temporary recall judge, penalty.
Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-57 of the Code of Virginia, relating to assault and battery; district court temporary recall judge; penalty. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N) Yeas (10): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 3/4/2026 - Enrolled 3/4/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB124ER) 3/4/2026 - Signed by Speaker 3/5/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB124) 3/10/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 Senate Committee Actions: • 2/26/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) • 2/26/2026 - Passed by for the day • 2/27/2026 - Read third time • 2/27/2026 - Passed Senate (37-Y 0-N 0-A) • 3/4/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: SB144 (McDougle) Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
HB208	Williams	Anti-harassment orders; creates a procedure for issuing an order.
Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 19.2 a chapter numbered 9.3, consisting of sections numbered 19.2-152.18 through 19.2-152.22, relating to anti-harassment orders. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (10-Y 0-N) Yeas (10): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 1/20/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB208) 1/23/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB208) 2/10/2026 - Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal 2/10/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/11/2026 - Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (10-Y 0-N) Criminal Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (10-Y 0-N)
HB250	Watts	Sex offenses prohibiting proximity to children; Park Authorities Act, penalty.
Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-370.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to sex offenses prohibiting proximity to children; Park Authorities Act; penalty. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N) Yeas (10): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 3/10/2026 - Enrolled 3/10/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB250ER) 3/10/2026 - Signed by Speaker 3/11/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB250) 3/14/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 Senate Committee Actions: • 2/27/2026 - Read third time • 2/27/2026 - Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to • 2/27/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute • 2/27/2026 - Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (37-Y 0-N 0-A) • 3/10/2026 - Signed by President Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
HB251	Watts	Assault and battery; creates Class 6 felony for serious bodily injury.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 17.1-805, 18.2-57, 18.2-160.2, 19.2-392.12, as it shall become effective, 37.2-416.1, and 37.2-506.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to assault and battery; serious bodily injury; penalty. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote) Last actions: 2/10/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/11/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote) 2/12/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/13/2026 - Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session Criminal Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
HB294	Cornett	Malicious bodily injury to correctional officers; penalties.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-51.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to malicious bodily injury to correctional officers; penalties. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N) Yeas (10): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 2/12/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/13/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (13-Y 8-N) 2/15/2026 - Read first time 2/16/2026 - Read second time and engrossed 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (88-Y 8-N 0-A) Senate Committee Actions: • 2/25/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N) • 2/25/2026 - Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations • 3/4/2026 - Placed on Finance and Appropriations docket for Mar 04, 2026 • 3/4/2026 - Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N) • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
HB317	Pope Adams	Damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties.
Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-162 of the Code of Virginia, relating to damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N) Yeas (10): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 3/4/2026 - Enrolled 3/4/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB317ER) 3/4/2026 - Signed by Speaker 3/5/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB317) 3/10/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 Senate Committee Actions: • 2/26/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) • 2/26/2026 - Passed by for the day • 2/27/2026 - Read third time • 2/27/2026 - Passed Senate (37-Y 0-N 0-A) • 3/4/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: HB769 (Herring) SB743 (Aird) Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
HB548	Hope	Uniform Health Care Decisions Act; civil penalty.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-413.01, 8.01-622.1, 18.2-369, 32.1-127, 32.1-127.1:03, 32.1-138.1, 32.1-162.16, 32.1-162.18, 32.1-291.21, 32.1-309.1, 32.1-325, 37.2-804.2, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 37.2-805.1, 37.2-817.01, 37.2-817.1, 37.2-837, 37.2-838, 37.2-1101, 37.2-1108, 53.1-133.04, 54.1-2807.02, 54.1-2818.1, 54.1-2818.5, 54.1-2970.1, 54.1-2987.1, 54.1-2988.1, 54.1-2993.1, 54.1-2995, 63.2-501, 63.2-1605, 64.2-2000, 64.2-2002, 64.2-2003, 64.2-2009, and 64.2-2019 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 29 of Title 54.1 an article numbered 8.1, consisting of sections numbered 54.1-2993.2 through 54.1-2993.31; and to repeal §§ 54.1-2981, 54.1-2982, 54.1-2983, 54.1-2983.2 through 54.1-2987, 54.1-2988, and 54.1-2989 through 54.1-2993 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Uniform Health Care Decisions Act; civil penalty. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N) Yeas (7): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt Nays (3): Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 2/16/2026 - Read second time 2/16/2026 - committee substitute agreed to 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (62-Y 34-N 0-A) 2/19/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB548) Senate Committee Actions: • 3/4/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N) • 3/4/2026 - Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations • 3/4/2026 - Senate committee offered • 3/6/2026 - Placed on Finance and Appropriations docket for Mar 06, 2026 • 3/6/2026 - Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)
HB629	Callsen	Sex offenses, certain; sexual extortion, unlawful creation of image of another, penalties.
Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-59.1 and 18.2-386.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certain sex offenses; sexual extortion; unlawful creation of image of another; penalties. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N) Yeas (10): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 2/16/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB629) 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute 2/17/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/17/2026 9:55 am) 2/17/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/17/2026 9:59 am) 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A) Senate Committee Actions: • 3/5/2026 - Rules suspended • 3/5/2026 - Passed by for the day (Voice Vote) • 3/5/2026 - Passed by for the day • 3/6/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) • 3/6/2026 - Passed by for the day Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
HB662	Maldonado	Offenses relating to gift cards; penalties.
Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-191, 18.2-192, 18.2-193, 18.2-195, 18.2-197, 18.2-198, and 18.2-198.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to offenses relating to gift cards; penalties. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N) Yeas (10): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt, Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 3/2/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/2/2026 9:11 am) 3/4/2026 - Enrolled 3/4/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB662ER) 3/4/2026 - Signed by Speaker 3/5/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB662) Senate Committee Actions: • 2/26/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) • 2/26/2026 - Passed by for the day • 2/27/2026 - Read third time • 2/27/2026 - Passed Senate (37-Y 0-N 0-A) • 3/4/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: SB444 (Bagby) Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
HB769	Herring	Damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties.
Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-162 of the Code of Virginia, relating to damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote) Last actions: 1/20/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB769) 2/10/2026 - Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal 2/10/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/11/2026 - Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote) 2/12/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda Related Bills: HB317 (Pope Adams) SB743 (Aird) Criminal Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote)
HB1103	Hodges	Medetomidine; manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing, penalties.
Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-251.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing medetomidine; penalties. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N) Yeas (9): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Williams, Davis, Whittle Not Voting (1): Schmidt Last actions: 2/12/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda 2/13/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 0-N) 2/15/2026 - Read first time 2/16/2026 - Read second time and engrossed 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A) Senate Committee Actions: • 3/2/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice docket for Mar 02, 2026 • 3/2/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) • 3/2/2026 - Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations • 3/6/2026 - Placed on Finance and Appropriations docket for Mar 06, 2026 • 3/6/2026 - Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)
HB1414	McQuinn	Children; certain injuries to be reported by physicians, etc., penalties for failure to report.
Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia, relating to requirement that certain injuries be reported by physicians, nurses, teachers, etc.; penalties for failure to report. Fiscal Impact Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N) Yeas (7): Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Callsen, Mehta, Schmidt Nays (3): Williams, Davis, Whittle Last actions: 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (91-Y 5-N 0-A) 2/17/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1414) 3/2/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/2/2026 8:52 am) 3/3/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/3/2026 3:52 pm) 3/4/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1414) Senate Committee Actions: • 2/18/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice • 3/2/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice docket for Mar 02, 2026 • 3/2/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) • 3/2/2026 - Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations • 3/3/2026 - Committee substitute printed 26108938D-S1 Criminal Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)

See All Agendas for Criminal