VirginiaHB1492026 Regular SessionHouse

Probation; decreasing period.

Sponsored By: Martin E. Williams (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Decreasing probation period. Establishes criteria for which a defendant's supervised probation period shall be reduced, including completing educational activities, maintaining employment, completing treatment, or obtaining housing. The bill provides that a court may decrease a defendant's probation period if warranted by the defendant's conduct upon receipt of a request from the Department of Corrections and requires the Department of Corrections to request termination of a defendant's supervised probation period after 12 months in certain situations. This bill is identical to SB 136.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Hearing before probation terms change

The court can change your probation only after a hearing. The court must give you and the Commonwealth’s attorney reasonable notice. The law also keeps the court’s other legal powers to shorten or end probation under any other law.

Faster end to probation for compliance

If you were placed on supervised probation for more than one year, the Department of Corrections must ask the court to end it after 12 months when you follow all court rules, stick to your case plan, and pose minimal risk. The court can shorten your probation without a hearing when the Department makes this request and your conduct shows it is warranted. Ending supervision is used to reward progress like steady work, finishing school or training, stable housing, or completing treatment. These rules do not apply to people with a mandatory three-year supervised probation, or to those supervised by a local community-based probation agency under a special sentencing law. The Department must make reasonable efforts to notify the victim when supervision ends.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Martin E. Williams

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 203 • No: 34

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 26 • No: 14

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 5

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 11 • No: 4

House vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 87 • No: 11

House vote 1/28/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s)

Yes: 20 • No: 0

House vote 1/21/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0076)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 76 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/25/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB149)

    3/17/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB149ER)

    3/14/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/14/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/14/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2026House
  10. Passed Senate (26-Y 14-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

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

    3/6/2026Senate
  13. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/5/2026Senate
  14. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  15. Rules suspended

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 4-N)

    2/23/2026Senate
  18. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB149)

    2/6/2026House
  19. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/4/2026Senate
  20. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/4/2026Senate
  21. Read third time and passed House (87-Y 11-N 0-A)

    2/3/2026House
  22. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/2/2026House
  23. committee amendment agreed to

    2/2/2026House
  24. Read second time

    2/2/2026House
  25. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

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