Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 489: Restorative justice practices; definitions, effect of participation, immunity from civil liability.
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 489 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Restorative justice practices; definitions, effect of participation, immunity from civil liability. Primary sponsor: Patrick Hope (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (March 14, 2026): Failed to Pass from conference.
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.
Restorative justice practices. Provides that participation in a restorative justice practice, as defined in the bill, shall not be used as evidence or as an admission of guilt, delinquency, or civil liability in current or subsequent legal proceedings against any participant. The bill also provides that restorative justice communications, defined in the bill, are not admissible in, or subject to discovery for, any legal proceeding, and disclosure of such communications shall not be compelled in any judicial or administrative proceeding, arbitration, or mediation. The bill prohibits any person involved in a restorative justice practice, as defined in the bill, from testifying about any phase of such practice in any judicial or administrative proceeding, arbitration, or mediation except in certain circumstances enumerated in the bill. Lastly, the bill provides civil immunity for any person, who in good faith, discloses any restorative justice communication based on his belief that such disclosure is allowed pursuant to such provisions, provided that such disclosure was limited to solely address any such allowable disclosure.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 1 |
| Destiny LeVere Bolling | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 80 |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Failed to Pass from conference
- Failed to Pass from conference
- No further action taken
- Senate insisted on substitute with amendment
- Senate Conferees: Perry, Favola, McDougle
- Conferees appointed by Senate
- House Conferees: Hope, Keys-Gamarra, Kilgore
- Conferees appointed by House
- House acceded to request
- Senate requested conference committee
- Senate insisted on substitute with amendment Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Senate substitute with amendment rejected by House (1-Y 95-N 0-A)
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history