Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 229: Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services.
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 229 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 8, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services. Primary sponsor: Phil Hernandez (Democratic). It lists 24 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 15, 2026): Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/15/2026 7:32 am).
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.
Weapons; possession prohibited in a hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly and intentionally possess in the building of any hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services in the Commonwealth, including an emergency department or other facility rendering emergency medical care, a (i) firearm, (ii) knife with a blade over three and one-half inches, or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives and stun weapons. The bill also provides that notice of such prohibitions shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance of any hospital and that no person shall be convicted of the offense if such notice is not posted, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions. The bill provides that such firearm, knife, explosive, or weapon shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and specifies certain exceptions to the prohibition. This bill is identical to SB 173.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 22
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hernandez | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 94 |
| Jessica L. Anderson | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Bonita Anthony | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 92 |
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 39 |
| Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Nadarius Clark | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 84 |
| Rae Cousins | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 79 |
| Michael Feggans | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 97 |
| Kelly Fowler | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 96 |
| Debra Gardner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 76 |
| Liz Guzmán | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 22 |
| Dan Helmer | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 10 |
| J.R. Henson | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 19 |
| Patrick Hope | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 1 |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Amy Laufer | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 55 |
| Michelle Lopes Maldonado | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Marty Martinez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 29 |
| Adele McClure | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 2 |
| Cia Price | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 85 |
| Holly Seibold | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 12 |
| Briana Sewell | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Irene Shin | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 8 |
| Kathy Tran | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 18 |
| Vivian Watts | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 14 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/15/2026 7:32 am)
- Governor's recommendation received by House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB229)
- Signed by President
- Signed by Speaker
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB229ER)
- Enrolled
- Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Read third time
- Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Showing 12 most recent of 35 actions. Full history