# Virginia HB901: Substantial risk orders; eligible petitioners, court jurisdiction, constr. possession of firearms.

Virginia HB901, Substantial risk orders; eligible petitioners, court jurisdiction, constr. possession of firearms., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0698)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB901-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB901
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Substantial risk orders; eligible petitioners, court jurisdiction, constr. possession of firearms.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0698)
- Sponsor: Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 8 (153 yes, 68 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 3

## Summary

Substantial risk orders; eligible petitioners; substantial risk factors and considerations; court jurisdiction; constructive possession of firearms; penalty. Expands the list of persons eligible to file a petition for an emergency substantial risk order. The bill provides various factors that a judge or magistrate shall consider for the purpose of determining whether to issue an emergency substantial risk order or a substantial risk order. The bill expands court jurisdiction over substantial risk orders from circuit courts to juvenile and domestic relations district courts and general district courts and requires petitions against minors to be filed in juvenile and domestic relations district courts. The bill requires a copy of the order to be served on the parent or guardian of the minor at any address where the minor resides or the local board of social services in the case where the minor is the subject of a dependency or court-approved out-of-home placement. The bill also provides the process for which firearms not owned by the subject of a petition are returned to the lawful owner of such firearms. The bill provides that any emergency substantial risk order or substantial risk order issued remains in full force and effect pending any appeal. Lastly, the bill provides that any person that makes a materially false statement or representation to a court during the petitioning process is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill is identical to SB 495.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Deliberate lies in firearm cases bring penalties: cost, low. Knowingly and willfully making a materially false statement in a firearm-risk investigation or petition process is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This covers statements to investigating officers or Commonwealth's attorneys, and to courts or magistrates during petitioning. An ordinary mistake does not meet…
- Firearm restrictions continue through court delays: cost, low. Courts can extend an emergency firearm-risk order for up to 14 additional days after a missed hearing. This applies only when the person lacked personal service of hearing notice or was jailed and not transported to court. The extended order must set a hearing date and be served on the person. A su…
- More courts can restrict firearm access: mixed, low. Virginia circuit, general district, and juvenile court judges, plus magistrates, can issue emergency firearm orders without advance notice. Probable cause must show a substantial, near-future risk of injury to the person or others through firearm possession or acquisition. A hearing must occur with…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-25 | Senate | Passed Senate | pass | 21 | 19 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-23 | Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice | pass | 9 | 5 |   |
| 2026-02-17 | House | Read third time and passed House | pass | 62 | 34 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute | pass | 15 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 7 | 3 |   |
| 2026-01-30 | House | Referred from Public Safety and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |

## Actions (32)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0698) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 698 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 (House)
- 2026-03-02: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB901) (House)
- 2026-03-02: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB901ER) (House)
- 2026-03-02: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-02: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-02-26: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB901) (House)
- 2026-02-25: Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Read third time (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-23: Reported from Courts of Justice (9-Y 5-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed House (62-Y 34-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-16: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-13: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-11: Committee substitute printed 26106702D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-11: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 7-N) (House)
- 2026-02-09: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-02-09: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N) (House)
- 2026-02-07: Assigned HCJ sub: Civil (House)
- 2026-02-06: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB901) (House)
- 2026-01-30: Referred from Public Safety and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Public Safety (House)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105114D (House)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222255.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222254.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1182510.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1182509.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142393.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142392.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135490.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135558.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135489.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135557.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086383.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086382.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222255.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222254.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1182510.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1182509.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142393.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142392.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135490.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135558.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135489.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135557.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086383.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086382.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB901-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).