All Roll Calls
Yes: 343 • No: 193
Sponsored By: Bonita G. Anthony (Democratic)
Became Law
State correctional facilities; visitation policies; work group. Sets additional visitation standards for visitors to state correctional facilities. The bill requires the Department of Corrections (the Department) to provide extended or additional visitation access for long-distance visitors. The bill provides that each in-person visit shall last a minimum of two hours unless shortened at the request of either the visitor or the incarcerated individual, or in response to an active security event. The bill also provides that visitation privileges may be suspended only for conduct occurring during visitation that presents a direct and substantial threat to the physical safety of participants or the security of the correctional facility. The bill provides a timeline and process for appealing any suspension of visitation rights. Finally, the bill directs the Department to convene a work group to consider and develop practical policy and legislative recommendations regarding visitation. The work group is required to report its findings and specific legislative and policy recommendations to the General Assembly by October 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 276.
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4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
The law expands in-person visitation at state prisons. The Department must keep seating and schedules at the prison’s maximum safe seating capacity. Each visit lasts at least two hours, and can go longer if seats are open. Long‑distance visitors (150 driving miles or more away) get extended or extra time when space and security allow. Hand holding is allowed for the whole visit, in addition to brief contact at the start and end.
Visits can be limited only for conduct during a visit that poses a direct and substantial safety threat. Nonviolent infractions, housing status, and unrelated discipline or screening results cannot be the sole reason to deny, suspend, or revoke visits unless visitation is an ongoing security risk. A first suspension can last up to 60 days; a repeat within 12 months can last up to 120 days. Written notice is due within five business days, you can appeal within 15 calendar days, and a different official must decide within 20 calendar days. Permanent revocation needs at least three documented and verified serious violations.
The Department of Corrections forms a work group with advocates, experts, attorneys, and staff. The group reviews ways to balance physical affection with security, create a family visitation program, allow extended holiday meals, expand access for minors and infrequent visitors, and restore 2019 visitation levels. The report is due to the General Assembly by October 1, 2026.
Staff must tell visitors what items are allowed and not allowed. If space exists, staff can hold a legal item that is not allowed inside and return it when you leave. Where available, visitors are checked by scanners/wands and detector dogs. If checks show no contraband and you are eligible, a contact visit is allowed. If there is a possible-contraband alert, staff can ask for a search; refusing after a dog alert may allow a non‑contact visit, but refusing after a scanner/wand alert can mean no entry under operating rules. You may leave and stop a search without being barred from future visits. Finding contraband triggers an investigation, and uninvolved visitors are not restricted if it came from staff or internal operations.
Bonita G. Anthony
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 343 • No: 193
House vote • 3/14/2026
Conference report agreed to by House
Yes: 65 • No: 31
Senate vote • 3/14/2026
Conference report agreed to by Senate
Yes: 21 • No: 18
Senate vote • 3/11/2026
Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 3/10/2026
Senate substitute rejected by House
Yes: 2 • No: 97
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
Passed Senate with substitute
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
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 with substitute
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
Yes: 14 • No: 1
House vote • 2/17/2026
Read third time and passed House
Yes: 65 • No: 31
House vote • 2/11/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting
Yes: 5 • No: 2 • Other: 1
House vote • 2/11/2026
Reported from Appropriations
Yes: 15 • No: 7
House vote • 2/6/2026
Reported from Public Safety with substitute and referred to Appropriations
Yes: 17 • No: 4 • Other: 1
House vote • 1/29/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute
Yes: 5 • No: 2
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0571)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 571 (effective 7/1/2026)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB173ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)
Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
Conference report agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)
Conference Report released
House Conferees: Anthony, Gardner, McLaughlin
Conferees appointed by House
House acceded to request
Conferees appointed by Senate
Senate Conferees: Carroll Foy, Jones, DeSteph
Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate requested conference committee
Senate substitute rejected by House (2-Y 97-N 0-A)
Passed Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Chaptered
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Conference Report
3/14/2026
Substitute
3/14/2026
Substitute
3/5/2026
Substitute
2/27/2026
Substitute
2/6/2026
Substitute
1/29/2026
Introduced
1/6/2026
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