VirginiaHB1852026 Regular SessionHouse

Orders closing a proceeding; petitions for review.

Sponsored By: Leslie Chambers Mehta (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Orders closing a proceeding; petitions for review. Provides that when a circuit court acts on or issues an order pertaining to the closure of a proceeding, such order is eligible for immediate appellate review with the Supreme Court of Virginia. The bill further provides that any person aggrieved by such an order may, within 15 days of the entry of such an order, file a petition for review with the Supreme Court of Virginia. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Boyd-Graves Conference.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Faster Virginia Supreme Court review of injunctions

After certain circuit court rulings on preliminary injunctions, you can seek fast review by the Virginia Supreme Court. File your petition within 15 days of the order. The clerk assigns it to a three-justice panel, but the Court may decide with more justices. You must serve the other side’s lawyer, who may respond within 15 days unless the Court sets another date. Attach the circuit-court record, including the original papers and the injunction order. Covered rulings include granting or denying a preliminary injunction, changing its scope, or other related orders the law lists.

Quick review of courtroom closure or sealing

You can get quick Virginia Supreme Court review of orders that close a court proceeding or seal a record. This includes orders that grant or deny closure not otherwise allowed, judges closing on their own, or a circuit court affirming or reversing a lower court’s closure order. File your petition within 15 days of the order, using the same fast-review process for injunctions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Leslie Chambers Mehta

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 328 • No: 2

House vote 3/12/2026

Senate amendments agreed to by House

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with amendments

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 1

House vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 1/28/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 19 • No: 0

House vote 1/21/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0366)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 366 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB185)

    3/31/2026House
  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 (HB185ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Senate amendments agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  12. Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to

    3/11/2026Senate
  13. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/11/2026Senate
  14. Read third time

    3/11/2026Senate
  15. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/10/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  17. Rules suspended

    3/10/2026Senate
  18. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

    3/9/2026Senate
  19. Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 1-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  20. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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

    2/4/2026Senate
  22. Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/3/2026House
  23. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    2/3/2026House
  24. Read second time and engrossed

    2/2/2026House
  25. Read first time

    1/30/2026House

Bill Text

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