Criminal Justice

passed · Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 150: Felonies; limitation on prosecution due to lapse of time after finding of probable cause.

Limitation on prosecution of felony due to lapse of time after finding of probable cause; misdemeanors; exceptions; retaining counsel. Provides that the speedy trial statute is tolled for the accused to retain private counsel or have counsel appointed to him pursuant to relevant law. The bill requires the court to conduct, not more than 30 days apart, reviews of the accused's attorney status and provides that such tolling shall end when the accused has either retained counsel or had counsel appointed to him and such counsel has entered an appearance in the case or the accused executes a valid waiver of counsel. Lastly, the bill provides that such provisions shall not be construed as ending the tolling of speedy trial for any other reason pursuant to relevant law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends 30-day toll for defendants to secure counsel, protecting due process rights under criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HJ 21: Veterans; VSCC to propose model policy framework for treatment in criminal justice system.

Study; Virginia State Crime Commission; model policy framework; justice-involved veterans; report. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study and propose recommendations for a model policy framework for the treatment and sentencing of veterans in the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects study of veteran treatment/sentencing in criminal justice to create model framework, aligning with reform goals like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation for justice-involved veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirects Virginia State Crime Commission to study and propose model framework for veterans' treatment/sentencing in criminal justice, aiming to improve outcomes and recognize veteran service.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 660: Court fines and fees; waiver of fees for indigent defendant.

Court fines and fees; indigent defendant; waiver of fees. Provides that in any criminal or traffic case, the court may waive the assessment of certain fees specified in the bill, either wholly or in part, if the court determines the defendant to be indigent pursuant to the financial criteria set forth in relevant law and unable to pay such fee. The bill provides that the court may make such determination sua sponte or upon motion of the defendant at any time prior to the entry of an order for which such fee is assessed or the final order has been entered.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives court fees for indigent defendants, reducing financial barriers and promoting fair access to justice - key criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1329: Local correctional facilities; reimbursements for housing convicted state felons.

Local correctional facilities; reimbursements for housing convicted state felons. Provides that, notwithstanding the quarterly installment payments the Compensation Board is required to provide for reimbursements to localities, the Compensation Board shall ensure that it provides reimbursement to localities for the entirety of the costs incurred by such locality arising from housing convicted state felons in any local or regional correctional facility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates full reimbursement to localities for housing state felons, ensuring correctional facility funding stability and supporting operational capacity within criminal justice system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 963: Constitutional amendment; qualifications of voters, right to vote, persons not entitled to vote.

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); qualifications of voters; right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides for a referendum at the November 3, 2026, general election to approve or reject an amendment that would provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. This bill is identical to SB 6.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for felons upon release from incarceration, a key criminal justice reform measure promoting reintegration and civil rights restoration.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Virginia · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 6: Constitutional amendment; qualifications of voters, right to vote, persons not entitled to vote.

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); qualifications of voters; right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides for a referendum at the November 3, 2026, general election to approve or reject an amendment that would provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. This bill is identical to HB 963.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights upon release from incarceration, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and promoting reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

in committee · Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 1170: Law-enforcement agencies & sheriff's dept.; policy on use of covered artificial intelligence syst.

Department of Criminal Justice Services; law-enforcement agencies and sheriff's departments; policy on use of covered artificial intelligence systems. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish a model policy for the use of a covered artificial intelligence system, defined in the bill, by any state or local law-enforcement agency or sheriff's department by October 1, 2026. The bill also requires each local law-enforcement agency and sheriff's department and the Department of State Police to establish and adopt a written policy for the use of a covered AI system by such agency or department that meets or exceeds the model policy established by the Department of Criminal Justice Services by January 1, 2027. The bill requires such policies be publicly available on the law-enforcement agency's or sheriff's department's website.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires model policy for AI use in law enforcement, promoting accountability and protecting civil rights through oversight of emerging technology.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires model policy for law enforcement AI use, aiming to prevent misuse and protect privacy rights through regulatory oversight.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 491: Line of Duty Act; eligibility for sheriffs and deputy sheriffs.

Line of Duty Act; sheriffs and deputy sheriffs. Provides that a sheriff or deputy sheriff shall be eligible for Line of Duty Act benefits. Under current law, sheriffs or deputy sheriffs are only eligible for Line of Duty Act benefits in the City of Richmond.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends Line of Duty benefits to all sheriffs/deputies statewide, protecting law enforcement officers. Aligns with criminal justice support for officer safety and benefits.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands Line of Duty benefits eligibility for sheriffs/deputies statewide, strengthening workplace safety and compensation protections for law enforcement workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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