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Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 309

Hospitals; temporary detention for testing, observation, or treatment.

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

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

Temporary detention in hospital for testing, observation, or treatment. Provides that while seeking the issuance of an order for temporary detention in a hospital for testing, observation, or treatment, or an extension of such order, the person who would be subject to such order and is currently subject to an order issued pursuant to current law shall remain in the custody of the facility where he is located for up to two hours, and any security personnel shall ensure that such person does not leave the facility while such person is unable to provide informed consent. The bill states that the person shall be permitted to leave the facility if (i) such order is not issued; (ii) the physician determines the person does not meet the requirements for temporary detention; or (iii) the person's guardian or person legally authorized to make an informed decision on his behalf refuses to consent to continued detention, testing, observation, or treatment. The bill also provides that any licensed health professional, licensed hospital, including a hospital licensed by the Department of Health pursuant to relevant law, or security personnel assisting a licensed health professional shall have no liability arising out of a claim to the extent the claim is based on a lack of consent to the detention of a person when such professional or hospital is seeking the court's or magistrate's authorization for such detention.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:04 PM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 6, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 4, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 3, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 2, 2026
Senate		Reported from Courts of Justice with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 2, 2026
Senate		Reported from Courts of Justice with amendmentspassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 19, 2026
Senate		Rereferred from Education and HealthpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 9, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 3, 2026
House		Reported from Health and Human Services 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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