Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 172: Criminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain range of punishment, etc.
Passed both chambers Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 172 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 6, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Criminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain range of punishment, etc. Primary sponsor: Leslie Chambers Mehta. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Governor's recommendation received by House.
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.
Criminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain punishment. Provides that an accused may withdraw a request for a jury to ascertain punishment up until the commencement of the sentencing proceeding. The bill also provides that counsel for either party shall have the right to examine jurors regarding the potential punishment, or range or ranges of punishment, regardless of whether the jury will ascertain punishment and that the court or counsel for either party may inform any person or juror during voir dire as to the potential punishment, or range or ranges of punishment, to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the guilt or sentencing phase of the case. Current law provides that the court or counsel for either party may inform any person or juror during voir dire as to the potential range of punishment to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the sentencing phase of the case.
Sponsors
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leslie Chambers Mehta | 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
- Governor's recommendation received by House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB172)
- Signed by President
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB172ER)
- Enrolled
- Senate amendments agreed to by House (63-Y 34-N 0-A)
- Passed Senate with amendments (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by Senate as amended
- Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Showing 12 most recent of 35 actions. Full history