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Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 173

State correctional facilities; visitation policies, annual report.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (15)

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

State correctional facilities; visitation policies; work group. Sets additional visitation standards for visitors to state correctional facilities. The bill requires the Department of Corrections (the Department) to provide extended or additional visitation access for long-distance visitors. The bill provides that each in-person visit shall last a minimum of two hours unless shortened at the request of either the visitor or the incarcerated individual, or in response to an active security event. The bill also provides that visitation privileges may be suspended only for conduct occurring during visitation that presents a direct and substantial threat to the physical safety of participants or the security of the correctional facility. The bill provides a timeline and process for appealing any suspension of visitation rights. Finally, the bill directs the Department to convene a work group to consider and develop practical policy and legislative recommendations regarding visitation. The work group is required to report its findings and specific legislative and policy recommendations to the General Assembly by October 1, 2026.  This bill is identical to SB 276.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 14, 2026
Senate		Adopt Conference Committee Report RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 14, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 11, 2026
Senate		Insist & Request RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 10, 2026
House		H VOTE:failSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 9, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 5, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 4, 2026
Senate		Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 27, 2026
Senate		Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 17, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 11, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reportingpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 11, 2026
House		Reported from AppropriationspassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 6, 2026
House		Reported from Public Safety with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 29, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see

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