HB 1733: Children; petitions for relief of care & custody, investigation by local dept. of social services.

Official summary

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

Petitions for relief of care and custody of a child; investigation by local department of social services; Office of the Children's Ombudsman work group; report. Requires a local department of social services, as a part of its investigation after the referral of a request for a petition for relief of the care and custody of a child, to (i) refer the parent to the local family assessment and planning team and (ii) create a written report. The bill directs the Department of Social Services, in coordination with the Virginia League of Social Services Executives, to create a template for and provide guidance on what should be included in such written report. The bill also directs the Office of the Children's Ombudsman to convene a work group composed of relevant stakeholders to (a) determine the factors a court should consider when determining whether there is good cause shown for a petitioner's desire to be relieved of the care and custody of a child and (b) explore the potential benefits and considerations of raising the standard of evidence for granting temporary relief of custody from the current standard of preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence. The bill directs the work group to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice and the Virginia Commission on Youth by November 1, 2025. Certain provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2026. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Commission on Youth. This bill is identical to SB 1372.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

“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. March 19, 2025Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0138)
2. March 19, 2025Approved by Governor-Chapter 138 (Effective 01/01/26)
3. March 3, 2025Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
4. March 3, 2025Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 3, 2025
5. February 20, 2025Signed by President
6. February 18, 2025Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1733)
7. February 17, 2025Signed by Speaker
8. February 17, 2025Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1733ER)
9. February 17, 2025Enrolled
10. February 12, 2025Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
11. February 12, 2025Read third time
12. February 11, 2025Passed by for the day

Showing 12 most recent of 31 actions. Full history