VirginiaHB14762026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Law-enforcement civilian oversight bodies; disclosure of certain law-enforcement records.

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

Became Law

Summary

Law-enforcement civilian oversight bodies; closed meetings; disclosure of certain law-enforcement records. Provides an exemption to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to allow closed meetings for discussion or consideration by any law-enforcement civilian oversight body established pursuant to general law or established by a local governing body before July 1, 2020, and operating in a manner consistent with such law of the criminal investigative files, audit findings, and deliberations regarding police operations related to a specific complaint before the body involving any violation or attempted violation of certain offenses. The bill allows inspection of certain law-enforcement records concerning juveniles by such civilian oversight bodies when required to perform their duties and by any independent policing auditor, manager, director, or other person appointed by the local governing body to support such civilian oversight body. Finally, the bill allows disclosure of certain information regarding crimes involving sexual assault, sexual abuse, or family abuse to such civilian oversight body and independent policing auditor, manager, director, or other person appointed by the local governing body.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Victim privacy and juvenile record oversight

Victims and witnesses can ask police, prosecutors, and courts not to share their home, phone, email, or work address. For sexual or family abuse cases, sharing identifying details usually needs the victim’s written consent. Law-enforcement oversight bodies can see juvenile police records when it is needed for their official work. A local policing auditor, manager, or director may see them only if the local government designates that person. Oversight bodies and designated auditors can receive needed victim information for official oversight.

Closed-meeting actions need public votes

Any law, rule, contract, or motion agreed to in a closed meeting does not take effect until the body meets in public and votes. The open vote must clearly state what was decided. If a public officer was chosen the wrong way, their actions still count until they are told about the legal problem. This keeps government actions valid while the selection issue is fixed.

When public bodies can meet privately

The law lists the only reasons a public body may hold a closed meeting. Until July 1, 2026, allowed topics include personnel, legal advice, real estate bargaining, economic development, security, lottery licensing, and more. It also lets law‑enforcement oversight bodies review criminal investigative files, audits, and juvenile records that are not public. Starting July 1, 2026, a permanent list takes effect and keeps this oversight access.

30-day notice for bond deals

Before a board approves industrial revenue bonds, it must name the business or industry in the public record at least 30 days before the authorization date. The board does not have to identify the business earlier than other law requires.

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: 269 • No: 130

House vote 3/11/2026

Senate amendments agreed to by House

Yes: 60 • No: 38

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with amendments

Yes: 22 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/10/2026

General Laws and Technology Amendments agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with amendments

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology with amendments

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 59 • No: 39

House vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Public Safety with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 8

House vote 2/5/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 5 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0861)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 861 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1476)

    4/1/2026House
  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 (HB1476ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Senate amendments agreed to by House (60-Y 38-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with amendments (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Passed Senate with amendments (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  14. General Laws and Technology Amendments agreed to

    3/10/2026Senate
  15. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/10/2026Senate
  16. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  17. Passed by for the day

    3/9/2026Senate
  18. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026Senate
  20. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate
  21. Senate committee offered

    3/4/2026Senate
  22. Reported from General Laws and Technology with amendments (9-Y 6-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1476)

    2/17/2026House
  24. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

    2/13/2026Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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