# Virginia HB2486: Best interests of the child; orders to return a minor child.

Virginia HB2486, Best interests of the child; orders to return a minor child., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Eric R. Zehr (Republican); status failed, last action 2025-02-04 (Left in Courts of Justice) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB2486-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB2486
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Best interests of the child; orders to return a minor child.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-08
- Last action: 2025-02-04, Left in Courts of Justice
- Sponsor: Eric R. Zehr (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Courts of Justice
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (5 yes, 3 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Best interests of the child; custody; orders to return a minor child; violations of orders regarding motions to relocate. Provides that in any case in which a party to a custody case (i) was subject to an order to return a minor child or (ii) violated a stay on or denial of a motion to relocate within the previous 10 years of such custody case, there shall be a presumption that it is in the best interests of the child for such child to be placed in the primary custody of the party not subject to or in violation of any such order.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Eric R. Zehr (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-27 | House | Subcommittee recommends laying on the table | pass | 5 | 3 |   |

## Actions (5)

- 2025-02-04: Left in Courts of Justice (House)
- 2025-01-27: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 3-N) (House)
- 2025-01-24: Assigned Courts sub: Civil (House)
- 2025-01-08: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (House)
- 2025-01-08: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25102537D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2025-01-08: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1016522.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1016521.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1016522.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1016521.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB2486-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).