# Virginia HB976: Person in temporary detention process; alternative transportation provider.

Virginia HB976, Person in temporary detention process; alternative transportation provider., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0720)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB976-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB976
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Person in temporary detention process; alternative transportation provider.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0720)
- Sponsor: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 8 (234 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 4

## Summary

Transportation of person in the temporary detention process. Provides that an alternative transportation provider shall be deemed to be able to provide transportation of a person in the temporary detention process in a safe manner if the alternative transportation provider is (i) an employee of, or the person providing services pursuant to a contract with, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or (ii) an employee of a private or state hospital within the confines of the Commonwealth. The bill also provides further requirements for an alternative transportation provider to be deemed available to provide transportation for a minor in the temporary detention process in a safe manner. The bill also permits law-enforcement agencies or alternative transportation providers to transfer custody of a minor to a facility or location where the minor is awaiting transport if such facility or location (i) agrees to accept custody of the minor and (ii) is capable of providing the level of security necessary to protect the minor and others from harm. Finally, the bill provides restrictions on the use of restraint related to the transportation of a minor for the purposes outlined in the bill.The provisions of this bill are identical to relevant provisions of SB 75.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- More transport options for detained people: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, magistrates must approve an available, willing alternative provider that can safely transport someone under a temporary detention order. Options include family, friends, community services board staff, certified evaluators, state behavioral health staff, Virginia hospital em…
- Safer transport handoffs for detained children: benefit, low. Children awaiting transport under temporary detention orders may stay at a place that accepts custody and provides enough security. Police may make this handoff only if they have an agreement with that place. The designated provider must take the child to the detention facility when a bed opens. Wh…
- Fewer damage claims against transport providers: cost, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, people transported under temporary detention orders cannot recover certain civil damages from alternative transport providers. The protection covers ordinary negligence—failures to use reasonable care—in acts or omissions arising from that transport. It does not extend to co…
- Limited restraint use during detention transport: mixed, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, certain alternative transport workers may use restraints on people transported under temporary detention orders. This applies to employees or contractors of entities providing transport under contract with Virginia's behavioral health department. Workers must complete depart…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-03 | Senate | Passed Senate Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-27 | Senate | Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services Block Vote | pass | 15 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-25 | Senate | Rereferred from Courts of Justice to Rehabilitation and Social Services | pass | 15 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-17 | House | Read third time and passed House Block Vote | pass | 97 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 7 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | House | Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute | pass | 21 | 0 |   |

## Actions (33)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0720) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 720 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-14: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-14: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 (House)
- 2026-03-10: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB976) (House)
- 2026-03-10: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB976ER) (House)
- 2026-03-10: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-10: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-03: Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-03: Read third time (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services Block Vote (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Rereferred from Courts of Justice to Rehabilitation and Social Services (15-Y 0-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: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB976) (House)
- 2026-02-17: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB976) (House)
- 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-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)
- 2026-02-15: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-12: Committee substitute printed 26107183D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-12: Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute (21-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-12: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-02-12: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-01-23: Assigned sub: Behavioral Health (House)
- 2026-01-21: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB976) (House)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services (House)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101839D (House)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222299.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222298.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1198096.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1198095.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143213.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143209.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142943.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143212.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142942.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143208.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086735.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086734.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/1222299.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222298.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1198096.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1198095.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143213.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143209.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142943.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143212.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142942.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143208.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086735.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086734.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-HB976-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).