HB 852: Indigent defendant; abolition of fees, legal representation, jury trial costs, report.

Official summary

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

Abolition of fees; legal representation of indigent defendant; jury trial costs; report. Eliminates the fees for the cost of court-appointed counsel or public defender representation for persons who are determined to be indigent. The bill also eliminates fees for persons who utilize a jury trial. The bill contains a reenactment clause for such elimination of fees.The bill also directs the Indigent Defense Commission, in consultation with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court or his designee, to convene a work group with all relevant stakeholders, including the Attorney General or his designee, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources or his designee; representatives from the Compensation Board, the Virginia Crime Commission, the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the Virginia Court Clerk's Association, the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys, staff from the House Appropriations and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, and the Virginia Probation and Parole Association; and a minimum of two criminal justice reform organizations working on fees and other financial assessments imposed in criminal prosecutions in Virginia; on several topics, including current collection practices, use of funds received as a result of such collections, and the burden of a fee assessment on indigent individuals. The bill requires the work group to submit an executive summary and report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2026, and a final report by November 1, 2027.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 8

“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 3, 2026Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
2. February 23, 2026Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)
3. February 20, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB852)
4. February 16, 2026Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
5. February 16, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
6. February 13, 2026Read third time and passed House (60-Y 35-N 0-A)
7. February 12, 2026Engrossed by House - committee substitute
8. February 12, 2026committee substitute agreed to
9. February 12, 2026Read second time
10. February 11, 2026Read first time
11. February 9, 2026Committee substitute printed 26107499D-H1
12. February 9, 2026Reported from Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 7-N)

Showing 12 most recent of 21 actions. Full history