# Virginia SB197: Attorney General; instituting or conducting criminal prosecutions.

Virginia SB197, Attorney General; instituting or conducting criminal prosecutions., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican); status failed, last action 2024-11-19 (Left in Finance and Appropriations) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB197-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB197
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Attorney General; instituting or conducting criminal prosecutions.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-01-08
- Last action: 2024-11-19, Left in Finance and Appropriations
- Sponsor: J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 3 (27 yes, 18 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Attorney General; instituting or conducting criminal prosecutions for violations of criminal sexual assault and commercial sex trafficking committed against children. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute or conduct criminal prosecutions in cases involving a violation of criminal sexual assault or commercial sex trafficking when such crimes are committed against children.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-07 | Senate | Continued to 2025 in Finance and Appropriations | pass | 9 | 6 |   |
| 2024-01-15 | Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments | pass | 9 | 6 |   |
| 2024-01-15 | Senate | Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 9 | 6 |   |

## Actions (8)

- 2024-11-19: Left in Finance and Appropriations (Senate)
- 2024-02-07: Continued to 2025 in Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N) (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Impact statement from DPB (SB197) (Senate)
- 2024-01-15: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (Senate)
- 2024-01-15: Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N) (Senate)
- 2024-01-10: Moved from Judiciary to Courts of Justice due to a change of the committee name (Senate)
- 2024-01-08: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2024-01-08: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24100715D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-01-15: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB197)
- Amendment: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB197)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB197)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB197-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).