Criminal Procedure - Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking
HB 450 protects victims of sexual assault or stalking by requiring courts and parties in criminal or juvenile cases to redact identifying information (like names or addresses) from public court records and filings. It directly affects victims, courts, and legal parties by prohibiting disclosure of such information to nonparties unless the court finds "clear and convincing evidence" of good cause to allow it. The bill mandates redaction of victim identifiers in all filings - including charging documents - and requires courts to redact existing records upon written request from the victim. Exceptions only apply when a court specifically authorizes disclosure after reviewing evidence of necessity. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2026
Last action Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
First - Criminal Procedure - Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking
→
Third - Criminal Procedure - Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking
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3 edits
MINOR
This bill was advanced from its first reading to a favorable committee report with amendments, moving it closer to becoming law. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new provision allowing health occupations boards to petition courts for access to unredacted records of sexual assault or stalking victims. This exception permits the disclosure of victim information specifically for the purpose of investigating or disciplining a healthcare provider accused of sexual misconduct, provided the victim is notified and has the opportunity to object.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a specific exception for health occupations boards, creating a pathway for victim identifying information to be disclosed in cases involving provider discipline for sexual misconduct.
ELIGIBILITY
Added a new eligibility exception allowing health occupations boards to request unredacted victim records to investigate sexual misconduct by licensed providers.
REQUIREMENT
Added new procedural requirements mandating that the State's Attorney notify victims of such petitions and inform them of their right to object to the disclosure.
ENFORCEMENT
Modified the enforcement mechanism by establishing that a victim's objection to disclosure is a required factor courts must consider when deciding whether to grant access to unredacted records.
Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026
How they voted
131–0
Passed · 11 other
Total votes 142
Mar 23, 2026
D
Democratic103
91% Yea
R
Republican39
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Committee
Rereferred to Judicial Proceedings
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Committee
Referred Rules
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
lower
Mar 23, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (131-0-11)
house of delegates
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
First Reading Judiciary
lower
36 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Aaron Kaufman
DDemocratic
P
Andrea Harrison
DDemocratic
P
Anne Kaiser
DDemocratic
P
April Miller
RRepublican
P
April Rose
RRepublican
P
Cathi Forbes
DDemocratic
P
Chao Wu
DDemocratic
P
Chris Tomlinson
RRepublican
P
Courtney Watson
DDemocratic
P
Dana Jones
DDemocratic
P
Dana Stein
DDemocratic
P
Deni Taveras
DDemocratic
P
Denise Roberts
DDemocratic
P
Diana Fennell
DDemocratic
P
Elizabeth Embry
DDemocratic
P
Frank Conaway
DDemocratic
P
Heather Bagnall Tudball
DDemocratic
P
Jamila Woods
DDemocratic
P
Jeff Long
DDemocratic
P
Jen Terrasa
DDemocratic
P
Jennifer White Holland
DDemocratic
P
Jessica Feldmark
DDemocratic
P
Kevin Hornberger
RRepublican
P
Lesley Lopez
DDemocratic
P
Linda Foley
DDemocratic
P
Mary Lehman
DDemocratic
P
Matthew Schindler
DDemocratic
P
Michele Guyton
DDemocratic
P
Regina Boyce
DDemocratic
P
Robbyn Lewis
DDemocratic
P
Ryan Spiegel
DDemocratic
P
Sarah Wolek
DDemocratic
P
Scott Phillips
DDemocratic
P
Sean Stinnett
DDemocratic
P
Sheila Ruth
DDemocratic
P
Teresa Woorman
DDemocratic
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