VirginiaHB9742026 Regular SessionHouse

Witness impeachment evidence designation; review process.

Sponsored By: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Witness impeachment evidence designation; review process. Provides a review process when the attorney for the Commonwealth designates a law-enforcement officer as a witness with a witness impeachment evidence designation within certain time frames specified in the bill. The bill defines "witness impeachment evidence designation" as a determination that is made by or a designation that is created by the attorney for the Commonwealth relating to a law-enforcement officer who has engaged in conduct that meets the requirements for disclosure in a criminal prosecution according to the Constitution of the United States for any criminal prosecution in which the officer is a participant. The bill prohibits a law-enforcement officer from being discharged, disciplined, or threatened with discharge or discipline solely due to the designation of such officer as a witness with a witness impeachment evidence designation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Officers get notice, review, and protection

The law creates a formal witness impeachment evidence designation for law‑enforcement officers in any criminal case they work on. The prosecutor must give written notice to the officer and the agency within 7 days. The officer has 21 days to ask to review the materials behind the designation, and the prosecutor must allow review within 5 business days. The officer can also file written objections within 21 days. The prosecutor must reply in writing within 7 days, explaining the reasons or removing the designation. An agency cannot fire, demote, suspend, or threaten an officer solely because of the designation, but it can act on the underlying misconduct.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marcia S. "Cia" Price

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 249 • No: 70

House vote 3/11/2026

Senate amendments agreed to by House

Yes: 70 • No: 28

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with amendments

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments

Yes: 12 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 64 • No: 33

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s)

Yes: 16 • No: 6

House vote 2/9/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 7 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0441)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 441 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB974)

    4/1/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB974ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Senate amendments agreed to by House (70-Y 28-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/10/2026Senate
  14. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  15. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  17. Rules suspended

    3/9/2026Senate
  18. Senate committee offered

    3/5/2026Senate
  19. Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (12-Y 0-N 2-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  20. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB974)

    3/2/2026House
  21. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/18/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  23. Read third time and passed House (64-Y 33-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB974)

    2/16/2026House
  25. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/16/2026House

Bill Text

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