Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 853: Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility, procedures, report.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 853 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility, procedures, report. Primary sponsor: Rae Cousins (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 11, 2026): Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote).
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.
Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility; procedures; report. Provides procedures for individuals serving a sentence for certain felony convictions or a combination of such convictions who remain incarcerated in a state or local correctional facility or secure facility and meet certain criteria to petition the circuit court that entered the original judgment or order to (i) suspend the unserved portion of such sentence or run the unserved portion of such sentence concurrently with another sentence, (ii) place such person on probation for such time as the court shall determine, or (iii) otherwise modify the sentence imposed. Depending on the type of conviction, the bill allows the court to grant a hearing on such petition after an individual has served at least 25 years for certain offenses, after 20 years for certain other offenses, and after 15 years for any other felony conviction not specified. The bill directs the Department of Corrections to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to (a) consider and recommend best practices for implementation of the bill and (b) evaluate and recommend updates to victim notification systems. The work group shall complete its meetings by November 1, 2026, and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2026.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rae Cousins | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 79 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
- Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/9/2026 11:33 am)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)
- Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/4/2026 10:34 am)
- Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)
- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105027D