HB 248 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Interjurisdictional law-enforcement agreements; development of behavioral health co-response teams.

Summary

Interjurisdictional law-enforcement agreements; behavioral health co-response teams. Provides that interjurisdictional law-enforcement agreements may allow for the development of co-response teams staffed by one or more law-enforcement agencies that respond to behavioral health-related calls in multiple jurisdictions. This bill is a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission. This bill is identical to SB 317.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 8, 2026 Signed Apr 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill has been formally enacted into law as Chapter 535 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive text of the legislation regarding police cooperation and behavioral health co-response teams remains unchanged, but the document has been updated with official approval dates and formatted for the final session record.

TECHNICAL

Added official session headers, chapter number (Chapter 535), and the specific approval date of April 10, 2026.

Removed draft session headers and placeholder text used during the legislative process.

Adjusted line breaks and spacing to conform to the final printed format of the Virginia Code.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026 · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 25, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 535 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB248ER)

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Local Government (14-Y 0-N)

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Local Government

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Public Safety (22-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 16, 2026

Committee

Assigned HPS sub: Subcommittee #2

lower

Jan 8, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Public Safety

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor