VirginiaHB1732026 Regular SessionHouse

State correctional facilities; visitation policies, annual report.

Sponsored By: Bonita G. Anthony (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

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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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Longer prison visits and help for long-distance families

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.

Stronger protections against unfair visit bans

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.

Corrections work group to boost visitation

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.

Clear search rules and contact visits

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.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bonita G. Anthony

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

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

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0571)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 571 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)

    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 (HB173ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)

    3/18/2026House
  11. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  12. Conference report agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  13. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  14. House Conferees: Anthony, Gardner, McLaughlin

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

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

    3/12/2026House
  17. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  18. Senate Conferees: Carroll Foy, Jones, DeSteph

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

    3/11/2026Senate
  20. Senate requested conference committee

    3/11/2026Senate
  21. Senate substitute rejected by House (2-Y 97-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026House
  22. Passed Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  23. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

    3/9/2026Senate
  24. Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate
  25. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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