Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1476: Law-enforcement civilian oversight bodies; disclosure of certain law-enforcement records.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1476 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 23, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Law-enforcement civilian oversight bodies; disclosure of certain law-enforcement records. Primary sponsor: Charlie Schmidt. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Approved by Governor-Chapter 861 (effective 7/1/2026).
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.
Law-enforcement civilian oversight bodies; closed meetings; disclosure of certain law-enforcement records. Provides an exemption to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to allow closed meetings for discussion or consideration by any law-enforcement civilian oversight body established pursuant to general law or established by a local governing body before July 1, 2020, and operating in a manner consistent with such law of the criminal investigative files, audit findings, and deliberations regarding police operations related to a specific complaint before the body involving any violation or attempted violation of certain offenses. The bill allows inspection of certain law-enforcement records concerning juveniles by such civilian oversight bodies when required to perform their duties and by any independent policing auditor, manager, director, or other person appointed by the local governing body to support such civilian oversight body. Finally, the bill allows disclosure of certain information regarding crimes involving sexual assault, sexual abuse, or family abuse to such civilian oversight body and independent policing auditor, manager, director, or other person appointed by the local governing body.
Sponsors
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Schmidt | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 861 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1476)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Signed by President
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1476ER)
- Enrolled
- Senate amendments agreed to by House (60-Y 38-N 0-A)
- Passed Senate with amendments (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Passed Senate with amendments (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
Showing 12 most recent of 36 actions. Full history