# Virginia HB1311: Divorce; cruelty, reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, or willful desertion or abandonment.

Virginia HB1311, Divorce; cruelty, reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, or willful desertion or abandonment., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Nadarius E. Clark (Democratic); status failed, last action 2024-11-18 (Left in Courts of Justice) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1311-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB1311
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Divorce; cruelty, reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, or willful desertion or abandonment.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2024-01-10
- Last action: 2024-11-18, Left in Courts of Justice
- Sponsor: Nadarius E. Clark (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Courts of Justice
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (0 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Divorce; cruelty, reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, or willful desertion or abandonment; divorce from bed and board. Eliminates the one-year waiting period for being decreed a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, or willful desertion or abandonment by either party. The bill also repeals the provision allowing for a divorce from bed and board on the grounds of cruelty, reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, or willful desertion or abandonment. The provisions of the bill apply to suits for divorce filed on or after July 1, 2024.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Nadarius E. Clark (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-01-26 | House | Continued to 2025 in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2024-01-24 | House | Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |

## Actions (6)

- 2024-11-18: Left in Courts of Justice (House)
- 2024-01-26: Continued to 2025 in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-01-24: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-01-23: Assigned Courts sub: Civil (House)
- 2024-01-10: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (House)
- 2024-01-10: Presented and ordered printed 24104162D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-02-29: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1311)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1311)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1311-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).