# Virginia HB765: Parental rights; termination for alleged sexual abuse, petition filed by other parent.

Virginia HB765, Parental rights; termination for alleged sexual abuse, petition filed by other parent., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Karrie K. Delaney (Democratic); status failed, last action 2024-11-18 (Left in Courts of Justice) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB765-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB765
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Parental rights; termination for alleged sexual abuse, petition filed by other parent.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2024-01-09
- Last action: 2024-11-18, Left in Courts of Justice
- Sponsor: Karrie K. Delaney (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Courts of Justice
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (0 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Termination of parental rights; sexual abuse; clear and convincing standard; petition filed by other parent. Allows a parent to file a petition to terminate the parental rights of the other parent if the circumstances giving rise to such a petition allege that such parent engaged in conduct prohibited by relevant law relating to sexual abuse, whether or not the parent has been charged with or convicted of the alleged violation, and the child was conceived of such conduct. The bill further requires the court to issue an order terminating the parental rights of a parent upon a finding, based on clear and convincing evidence, that (i) such parent engaged in the conduct prohibited by relevant law relating to sexual abuse, whether or not the parent has been charged with or convicted of the alleged violation, and the child was conceived of such conduct and (ii) termination of the parental rights of such parent is in the best interests of the child. The bill specifies that, if such parent is found by clear and convincing evidence to have engaged in the prohibited conduct resulting in the conception of such child, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that termination is in the best interest of the child, but no presumption shall be made by the court that one parent alone is contrary to the best interests of the child.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Karrie K. Delaney (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-02 | House | Continued to 2025 with substitute in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2024-01-29 | House | Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 with substitute (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |

## Actions (8)

- 2024-11-18: Left in Courts of Justice (House)
- 2024-02-02: Continued to 2025 with substitute in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-02-02: Committee substitute posted to LIS only 24106447D-H1 (House)
- 2024-01-29: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 with substitute (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-01-29: House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered (House)
- 2024-01-25: Assigned Courts sub: Civil (House)
- 2024-01-09: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (House)
- 2024-01-09: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24104828D (House)

## Bill text

- Substitute, 2024-02-05: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB765)
- Introduced, 2024-01-16: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB765)

## 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
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB765)

## 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-HB765-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).