# Virginia HB2530: Restraints on juveniles; use in court prohibited, exceptions.

Virginia HB2530, Restraints on juveniles; use in court prohibited, exceptions., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Briana D. Sewell (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-02-04 (Left in Courts of Justice) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB2530-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB2530
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Restraints on juveniles; use in court prohibited, exceptions.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-08
- Last action: 2025-02-04, Left in Courts of Justice
- Sponsor: Briana D. Sewell (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Courts of Justice
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (0 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Use of restraints on juveniles in court prohibited; exceptions. Prohibits the use of instruments of restraint, as defined in the bill, on a juvenile appearing before the juvenile and domestic relations district court unless the court makes a finding that (i) the use of such restraints is necessary (a) to prevent physical harm to such juvenile or another person, (b) because such juvenile has a history of disruptive courtroom behavior that has placed others in potentially harmful situations or presents a substantial threat of serious harm to himself or others as evidenced by recent behavior, or (c) because such juvenile presents a substantial risk of flight from the courtroom and (ii) there are no less restrictive alternatives to such restraints that will prevent flight of or harm to such juvenile or another person, including court personnel or law-enforcement officers. The bill requires the court to provide the juvenile's attorney an opportunity to be heard before the court orders the use of instruments of restraint, and if such restraints are ordered, requires the court to make written findings of fact in support of the order.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Briana D. Sewell (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-24 | House | Referred from Public Safety and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |

## Actions (5)

- 2025-02-04: Left in Courts of Justice (House)
- 2025-01-24: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2530) (House)
- 2025-01-24: Referred from Public Safety and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2025-01-08: Referred to Committee on Public Safety (House)
- 2025-01-08: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25103586D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2025-01-08: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1017186.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1017185.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/1017186.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1017185.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)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB2530-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).