VirginiaHB14642026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Victims of crime; reimbursement for expenses, report.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Victims of crime; reimbursement for expenses; work group. Provides that all medical fees expended in the gathering of evidence through anonymous trace evidence collection kit examinations conducted on victims complaining of strangulation pursuant to relevant law shall be paid by the Commonwealth through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (also known as the Virginia Victims Fund) administered by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. The bill states that such victims shall not be required to participate in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law-enforcement authorities in order to be provided with such medical exams. Under current law, all medical fees expended in the gathering of evidence through physical evidence recovery kit examinations conducted on victims complaining of sexual assault are paid by the Commonwealth via the Fund, and victims complaining of sexual assault are not required to participate in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law-enforcement authorities in order to be provided with such forensic medical exams.The bill expands the powers and duties of the Commission to adopt, promulgate, amend, and rescind suitable rules and regulations to include a distinct policy for the payment of anonymous trace evidence collection kit examinations.Lastly, the bill directs the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to discuss and submit recommendations for certain matters related to the reimbursement process for forensic medical examinations, enumerated in the bill. The bill directs the work group to submit a report with recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 812.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Reimbursements for crime costs, with limits

The Fund pays unreimbursed crime costs, including funeral up to $10,000, counseling up to $3,500 per claim, and moving up to $2,000, plus other necessary costs the Commission approves. Claims must total at least $100 to qualify. Awards are reduced by money you get from the offender, insurance, or other sources. After reductions, total payments for one injury or death cannot be more than $35,000. The Commission can also accept federal grants to help fund these payments.

Free forensic medical exams for victims

The Commonwealth pays medical fees to gather evidence when needed to prove a crime and in child abuse cases. It also pays for sexual assault physical evidence kits and strangulation anonymous trace evidence kits. You do not have to report to police or cooperate to receive these exams. Finishing one of these exams counts as meeting the reporting rule, and the Fund’s payment for the exam does not reduce your other award.

Simpler payments to forensic providers

Providers who perform sexual assault or strangulation forensic exams can bill the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund directly. The Commission sets a separate payment policy, including mileage rules. Providers must sign rate agreements that usually satisfy the Commonwealth’s payment in full.

Convicted offenders must repay exam costs

When a defendant is convicted, the court must order them to repay the Commonwealth for medical evidence fees it paid.

Wage help for injured crime victims

If you cannot work at all because of a crime, you get weekly pay equal to 66 2/3% of your average weekly wages. If you can work some, you get two-thirds of the wage loss, and your earnings plus this pay cannot be over $600 per week. Parents or guardians of minor victims can be paid for missed work to get care and attend proceedings. If the victim dies, dependents can receive payments under Virginia workers’ compensation rules, up to the usual limits.

Help getting unclaimed restitution money

The Commission runs a process to receive and pay unclaimed court-ordered restitution to victims. It can get information from prosecutors and police to find victims. Your information stays confidential and is used only to locate and pay you.

How victim claims are decided

The Commission hears and decides all claims and can reopen cases. It can get confidential records from prosecutors, police, and the medical examiner to decide if a crime happened and who is eligible. It can hold hearings, require documents, and take sworn statements. The Commission can require a medical exam of the victim when needed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 532 • No: 97

Senate vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 39 • No: 0

House vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/12/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 2 • No: 96

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Rereferred from General Laws and Technology to Courts of Justice

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/13/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 7 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/6/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 9 • No: 1 • Other: 1

House vote 2/3/2026

Referred from General Laws and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0858)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 858 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1464)

    4/3/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1464ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026House
  12. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1464)

    3/13/2026House
  14. House Conferees: Shin, Mehta, Hodges

    3/12/2026House
  15. Conferees appointed by House

    3/12/2026House
  16. House acceded to request

    3/12/2026House
  17. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  18. Senate substitute rejected by House (2-Y 96-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026House
  19. Senate insisted on substitute

    3/12/2026Senate
  20. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  21. Senate Conferees: Boysko, Perry, Stanley

    3/12/2026Senate
  22. Senate requested conference committee

    3/12/2026Senate
  23. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  24. Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  25. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

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