VirginiaHB8532026 Regular SessionHouse

Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility, procedures, report.

Sponsored By: Rae Cousins (Democratic)

In Committee

Summary

Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility; procedures; report. Provides procedures for individuals serving a sentence for certain felony convictions or a combination of such convictions who remain incarcerated in a state or local correctional facility or secure facility and meet certain criteria to petition the circuit court that entered the original judgment or order to (i) suspend the unserved portion of such sentence or run the unserved portion of such sentence concurrently with another sentence, (ii) place such person on probation for such time as the court shall determine, or (iii) otherwise modify the sentence imposed. Depending on the type of conviction, the bill allows the court to grant a hearing on such petition after an individual has served at least 25 years for certain offenses, after 20 years for certain other offenses, and after 15 years for any other felony conviction not specified. The bill directs the Department of Corrections to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to (a) consider and recommend best practices for implementation of the bill and (b) evaluate and recommend updates to victim notification systems. The work group shall complete its meetings by November 1, 2026, and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2026.

Criminal

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rae Cousins

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote 2/11/2026

Continued to 2027 in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2027 (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Continued to 2027 in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)

    2/11/2026House
  2. Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2027 (Voice Vote)

    2/9/2026House
  3. Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/9/2026 11:33 am)

    2/9/2026House
  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)

    2/4/2026House
  5. Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/4/2026 10:34 am)

    2/4/2026House
  6. Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal

    2/3/2026House
  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)

    1/29/2026House
  8. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    1/13/2026House
  9. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105027D

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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