VirginiaSB1442026 Regular SessionSenate

Assault and battery; adds district court temporary recall judge, penalty.

Sponsored By: Ryan T. McDougle (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Assault and battery; district court temporary recall judge; penalty. Adds a judge of a district court under temporary recall to the definition of "judge" as it relates to the crime of assault and battery, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor that is enhanced to a Class 6 felony with a mandatory minimum term of confinement of six months if such judge is engaged in his public duties at the time of the offense. This bill is a recommendation of the Committee on District Courts and is identical to HB 124.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Harsher penalties for attacks on public officials

Assaulting listed public officials or safety staff while they do public duties is a Class 6 felony. The sentence includes at least six months in jail. The rule applies when you know or should know the victim’s role. Covered people include judges (now also temporary recall and substitute district court judges), magistrates, law‑enforcement officers, correctional and juvenile justice staff, firefighters, and others.

Stronger penalties for hate-based assaults

Simple assault remains a Class 1 misdemeanor. If you pick a victim because of race, religion, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin, the sentence includes at least six months in jail. If the attack causes bodily injury with that bias intent, it is a Class 6 felony with at least six months in jail.

Stronger protections and penalties for school staff

Battering a K–12 school employee who is doing their job is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The sentence includes 15 days in jail, with at least 2 days required. If a banned firearm or weapon is used on school property, the minimum is six months. The law also shields school staff and school security officers who use reasonable force to keep order, prevent harm, defend themselves or others, or take dangerous items; those actions are not assault.

Added penalties for attacks on hospital staff

Battering a health care provider working in a hospital or emergency room is a Class 1 misdemeanor. When you know or have reason to know the person is a provider on duty, the sentence includes 15 days in jail, with at least 2 days required.

Penalties for assaults on transit operators

Assaulting a public transit vehicle operator who is on duty is a Class 1 misdemeanor. When you know or should know the person is the operator, a court may also bar the offender from entering or riding that transit service for at least six months.

Penalties for attacking sports officials

Battering a sports official while they work, or while on site right before or after, is a Class 1 misdemeanor. When you know or have reason to know the person is an official, a court may also ban the offender from attending events run by that employer or sponsor for at least six months.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ryan T. McDougle

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 229 • No: 0

House vote 2/23/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/18/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/21/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0072)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 72 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Approved by Governor-Chapter 72 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  6. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB144)

    2/24/2026Senate
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB144ER)

    2/24/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    2/24/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    2/24/2026Senate
  10. Signed by Speaker

    2/24/2026House
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB144)

    2/23/2026Senate
  12. Passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026House
  13. Read third time

    2/23/2026House
  14. Read second time

    2/20/2026House
  15. Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)

    2/18/2026House
  16. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/12/2026House
  17. Read first time

    2/12/2026House
  18. Placed on Calendar

    2/12/2026House
  19. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/9/2026Senate
  20. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/6/2026Senate
  21. Read second time

    2/6/2026Senate
  22. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/5/2026Senate
  23. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/5/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day

    2/5/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    2/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

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