HB 2530 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Restraints on juveniles; use in court prohibited, exceptions.

Summary
Use of restraints on juveniles in court prohibited; exceptions. Prohibits the use of instruments of restraint, as defined in the bill, on a juvenile appearing before the juvenile and domestic relations district court unless the court makes a finding that (i) the use of such restraints is necessary (a) to prevent physical harm to such juvenile or another person, (b) because such juvenile has a history of disruptive courtroom behavior that has placed others in potentially harmful situations or presents a substantial threat of serious harm to himself or others as evidenced by recent behavior, or (c) because such juvenile presents a substantial risk of flight from the courtroom and (ii) there are no less restrictive alternatives to such restraints that will prevent flight of or harm to such juvenile or another person, including court personnel or law-enforcement officers. The bill requires the court to provide the juvenile's attorney an opportunity to be heard before the court orders the use of instruments of restraint, and if such restraints are ordered, requires the court to make written findings of fact in support of the order.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Feb 4, 2025
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
Referred from Public Safety and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Briana Sewell
Briana Sewell
DDemocratic
VA
25