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Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 245

Jurisdiction of district courts in felony cases; specialty dockets, Behavioral Health Docket Act.

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

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Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

Jurisdiction of district courts in felony cases; specialty dockets; Behavioral Health Docket Act. Authorizes a general district court and a juvenile and domestic relations district court to retain jurisdiction over a felony offense for the purpose of allowing the accused to complete a specialty docket or behavioral health docket established pursuant to relevant law. Current law only explicitly provides such courts with the ability to certify felony charges to the circuit court or dismiss such charges after a preliminary hearing to determine if probable cause exists for such charges.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 12:03 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Feb 25, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 24, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 23, 2026
Senate		Reported from Courts of JusticepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 3, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 28, 2026
House		Reported from Courts of JusticepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 21, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reportingpassSet your home in Virginia to see

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