Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 266: Child abuse and neglect; creates centralized intake and validity determination.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 266 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 9, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Child abuse and neglect; creates centralized intake and validity determination. Primary sponsor: Anne Ferrell Tata (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Health and Human Services.
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.
Department of Social Services; centralized intake and validity determination for child abuse and neglect. Creates a centralized system for intake for reports and complaints of child abuse or neglect. The bill directs the Department of Social Services to be the agency responsible for the intake of reports and complaints of child abuse or neglect and specifies that the Department shall determine the validity of such reports and complaints. Under current law, local departments of social services are the agency responsible for the intake of reports and complaints of child abuse and it determines the validity of such reports and complaints. The bill eliminates the requirement that local departments must be capable of receiving and responding to reports and complaints of abuse or neglect and instead requires that any complaint of child abuse or neglect received by a local department shall be immediately forwarded to the Department's child abuse and neglect intake system.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Ferrell Tata | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 99 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Committee Health and Human Services
- Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 2-N)
- Assigned sub: Social Services
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB266)
- Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104853D