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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 173: State correctional facilities; visitation policies, annual report.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 173 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 6, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: State correctional facilities; visitation policies, annual report. Primary sponsor: Bonita Anthony (Democratic). It lists 15 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0571).

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.

State correctional facilities; visitation policies; work group. Sets additional visitation standards for visitors to state correctional facilities. The bill requires the Department of Corrections (the Department) to provide extended or additional visitation access for long-distance visitors. The bill provides that each in-person visit shall last a minimum of two hours unless shortened at the request of either the visitor or the incarcerated individual, or in response to an active security event. The bill also provides that visitation privileges may be suspended only for conduct occurring during visitation that presents a direct and substantial threat to the physical safety of participants or the security of the correctional facility. The bill provides a timeline and process for appealing any suspension of visitation rights. Finally, the bill directs the Department to convene a work group to consider and develop practical policy and legislative recommendations regarding visitation. The work group is required to report its findings and specific legislative and policy recommendations to the General Assembly by October 1, 2026.  This bill is identical to SB 276.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 14 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Bonita AnthonyPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse92
Lamont BagbyCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate14
Destiny LeVere BollingCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse80
Nadarius ClarkCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse84
Josh ColeCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse65
Rae CousinsCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse79
Debra GardnerCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse76
Tom GarrettCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse56
Jackie GlassCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse93
Angelia GravesCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate21
J.R. HensonCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse19
Karen Keys-GamarraCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse7
Dave MarsdenCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate35
Marty MartinezCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse29
Sam RasoulCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse38
Charlie SchmidtCo-sponsorNot 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

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0571)
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 571 (effective 7/1/2026)
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
  6. Signed by Speaker
  7. Signed by President
  8. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB173ER)
  9. Enrolled
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)
  11. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
  12. Conference report agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source