HB 16: Community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs; work performed while incarcerated.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs; work performed while incarcerated. Requires a court to establish a program and allow any person upon whom a fine and costs have been imposed to discharge all or part of the fine or costs by earning credits for the performance of (i) community service work performed before or after imprisonment or (ii) work performed while incarcerated, defined in the bill as any work done on or after July 1, 2023, by a person confined in any local, regional, or state correctional facility who is paid a wage that is less than the Virginia minimum wage.The bill requires such program to be available during such person's imprisonment in a local, regional, or state correctional facility. The bill provides that a person who is performing work while incarcerated shall be credited at the same rate as the community service work rate less any wages received. Under current law, a court is required to establish a program for providing an option for community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs but offering such option is not mandatory. The bill also requires the local, regional, or state correctional facility to provide confirmation of the hours worked and the credits earned for such work upon request of any person who has performed work while incarcerated or his representative.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 19

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 13, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0544)
2. April 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 544 (effective 7/1/2026)
3. March 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
4. March 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
5. March 31, 2026Signed by Speaker
6. March 31, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB16)
7. March 30, 2026Signed by President
8. March 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB16ER)
9. March 30, 2026Enrolled
10. March 10, 2026Senate amendments agreed to by House (79-Y 20-N 0-A)
11. March 9, 2026Passed Senate with amendments (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
12. March 9, 2026Engrossed by Senate as amended

Showing 12 most recent of 37 actions. Full history