Courts of Justice Committee Agenda
Chair: Hope, Patrick A.
Meeting Date & Time: 02/13/2026 15 minutes after adjournment of the House Add to Calendar
Location: House Committee Room C - 206
Video: Archived
Committee Clerk: (804) 698-1542 (Johnson); (804) 698-1544 (McDaniel)
DLS Contact: (804) 698 - 1815 (Olwine), (804) 698-1829 (Hatcher), (804) 698 - 1831 (Heard)
1. Announcements and Executive Actions
Continue HB251 to 2027
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB251 | Watts | Assault and battery; creates Class 6 felony for serious bodily injury. |
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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.
Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) Last actions:
Criminal Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote) |
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2. Criminal Subcommittee Uncontested (Block Vote) - Delegate Watts
HB769 - Incorporated into HB317 (voice vote)
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB124 | Reaser | Assault and battery; adds district court temporary recall judge, penalty. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 0-N)Yeas (21): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB250 | Watts | Sex offenses prohibiting proximity to children; Park Authorities Act, penalty. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 0-N)Yeas (21): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB294 | Cornett | Malicious bodily injury to correctional officers; penalties. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice (13-Y 8-N)Yeas (13): Maldonado, Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Mehta, Carnegie, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Nays (8): Hope, Simon, Sullivan, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Thornton Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB295 | Cornett | Aggravated murder; adds correctional officers to definition, punishment. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-31 of the Code of Virginia, relating to aggravated murder defined; correctional officers; punishment. Reported from Courts of Justice (13-Y 8-N)Yeas (13): Maldonado, Watts, Delaney, Hernandez, Mehta, Carnegie, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Nays (8): Hope, Simon, Sullivan, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Thornton Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB317 | Pope Adams | Damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (21-Y 0-N)Yeas (21): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB629 | Callsen | Sex offenses, certain; sexual extortion, unlawful creation of image of another, penalties. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (21-Y 0-N)Yeas (21): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB662 | Maldonado | Offenses relating to gift cards; penalties. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (21-Y 0-N)Yeas (21): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB769 | Herring | Damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties. |
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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.
Incorporated by Courts of Justice (HB317-Pope Adams) (Voice Vote) Last actions:
Related Bills: HB317 (Pope Adams) SB743 (Aird) Criminal Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote) |
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| HB1103 | Hodges | Medetomidine; manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing, penalties. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 0-N)Yeas (21): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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Criminal Subcommittee Contested and Remainder of Docket - Delegate Watts
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB320 | Cole, J.G. | Live streaming while driving; prohibited, penalty. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 0-N)Yeas (21): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB489 | Hope | Restorative justice practices; definitions, effect of participation, immunity from civil liability. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 6-N)Yeas (15): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt Nays (6): Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB548 | Hope | Uniform Health Care Decisions Act; civil penalty. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 6-N)Yeas (15): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt Nays (6): Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB1413 | Schmidt | Limitation on sentence upon revocation of suspension of sentence; technical violations. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 6-N)Yeas (15): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt Nays (6): Kilgore, Ballard, Williams, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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| HB1414 | McQuinn | Children; certain injuries to be reported by physicians, etc., penalties for failure to report. |
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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. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (19-Y 2-N)Yeas (19): Hope, Maldonado, Watts, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Keys-Gamarra, Mehta, Carnegie, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Ballard, Davis, Whittle Nays (2): Williams, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
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) |
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Civil Subcommittee - Delegate Simon
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB447 | Simon | Local government or board of zoning appeals land use decisions; third-party standing requirements. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2285 and 15.2-2314 of the Code of Virginia, relating to contesting local governing body or board of zoning appeals land use decisions; third-party standing requirements. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (13-Y 8-N)Yeas (13): Hope, Simon, Sullivan, Delaney, Hernandez, Cousins, Reaser, Callsen, Mehta, Thornton, Schmidt, Kilgore, Williams Nays (8): Maldonado, Watts, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Ballard, Davis, Whittle, Pence Not Voting (1): Leftwich Last actions:
Civil Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 4-N) |
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