Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1265: Courthouses; certain civil arrests prohibited, definition, penalty.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1265 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Courthouses; certain civil arrests prohibited, definition, penalty. Primary sponsor: Jackie Glass (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 6, 2026): Incorporated by Public Safety (HB650-Callsen) (Voice Vote).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Certain civil arrests prohibited in courthouses; penalty. Provides that a party who is required to attend any court of the Commonwealth, or such party's family or household member or person attending the court with such party to serve as a witness, shall be privileged from civil arrest, defined in the bill, while attending, going to, or coming from the court. The bill also prohibits a person with the lawful authority to perform civil arrests from entering a courthouse to conduct a civil arrest unless he complies with certain requirements, including presenting a judicial warrant or judicial order authorizing the civil arrest to the appropriate courthouse officer or employee. Additionally, the bill requires that any judicial warrant or judicial order authorizing the civil arrest be reviewed by a designated judicial officer or attorney before a civil arrest pursuant to such warrant or order can be performed. Finally, the bill provides that any person who conducts a civil arrest, or facilitates or assists with the performance of, a civil arrest in violation of the provisions of the bill shall be punished with contempt of court.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackie Glass | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 93 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Incorporated by Public Safety (HB650-Callsen) (Voice Vote)
- Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1265)
- Assigned HMPPS sub: Subcommittee #3
- Referred from Courts of Justice and referred to Public Safety (Voice Vote)
- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103200D