VirginiaSB2062026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Juvenile and domestic relations district courts; petitions for relief of care and custody.

Sponsored By: David R. Suetterlein (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Juvenile and domestic relations district courts; petitions for relief of care and custody; custodians. Allows the custodian of a child to file a petition for relief of the care and custody of such child in a juvenile and domestic relations district court. Current law only authorizes the parent or parents of a child to file such petition for relief of care and custody. The bill also requires the petitioning parent or custodian to cooperate with any services provided by a local department of social services during the initial investigation by such local department of social services after such petition for relief of care and custody has been filed. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Commission on Youth and is identical to HB 73.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Faster, clearer custody and adoption orders

If the court transfers custody to social services, it must find no less drastic option, that reasonable efforts were made to avoid removal, and that staying home would be contrary to the child’s welfare. A nonparent can get custody only if the court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, they can care for the child, keep a positive relationship, provide a permanent home, and protect the child. If no final order was entered, a dispositional hearing must be held within 60 days after the court finds good cause or that permanent relief is in the child’s best interest. The court must give notice to social services, the guardian ad litem, the child age 12 or older, and the parents or custodian, and may proceed if a properly served person does not appear. Agencies allowed to place a child for adoption must file a progress report every six months until a final adoption; these orders are final and can be appealed. Sheriffs cannot charge fees to serve papers in the listed juvenile cases.

Court process for minors seeking abortion

A physician cannot perform an abortion on an unemancipated minor without notarized parental consent or a court order. Care is allowed in a medical emergency, and when the minor reports abuse or neglect and the doctor files the report. A minor may ask a judge; the judge must approve if she is mature and well informed or if it is in her best interest. Hearings and records are confidential and quick: a decision comes within 4 days; any appeal is decided within 5 days. If approval is based on best interest, the order usually requires notice to a parent or other authorized person, unless the judge finds notice would harm the minor. The court charges no filing fees; doctors must document emergencies; doctors who violate the rules and people who knowingly sign false consents face a Class 3 misdemeanor.

More relatives can seek custody in JDR court

Juvenile and domestic relations (JDR) courts handle custody, visitation, support, and child‑welfare cases in their area and up to one mile beyond. People with a legitimate interest, including relatives, may file petitions. The court may keep jurisdiction until age 21 to enter findings needed for Special Immigrant Juvenile status.

Judges can consent for minors’ care

When a child is in court custody and an activity needs a parent’s permission, a judge can give consent. A judge can also approve emergency medical care for an unmarried minor when a parent cannot be found, reached quickly, lives out of state, or refuses. This helps children get timely care while separated from parents.

Serious juvenile felonies shift to circuit court

When a juvenile is accused of listed violent felonies, the juvenile court holds only a probable‑cause and age hearing. If the charge is certified to the grand jury, the juvenile court loses that case and related charges. For some offenses, the prosecutor must give the required notice before certification.

Limits on who can file for custody

Some people cannot file for custody or visitation. This includes people whose parental rights were ended, those whose claim comes through a person whose rights were ended after adoption, and people convicted of certain sexual crimes tied to the child’s conception. A narrow exception lets a formerly terminated parent participate when the child is 14 or older, the adoption has failed, the child is in local social services custody, and the parent followed contact terms and kept a positive, ongoing relationship.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • David R. Suetterlein

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • 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 1/27/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/26/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/23/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/23/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/21/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0059)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 59 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Approved by Governor-Chapter 59 (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 (SB206)

    2/24/2026Senate
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB206ER)

    2/24/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    2/24/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    2/24/2026Senate
  10. Signed by Speaker

    2/24/2026House
  11. Passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026House
  12. Read third time

    2/23/2026House
  13. Read second time

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

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

    2/3/2026House
  16. Read first time

    2/3/2026House
  17. Placed on Calendar

    2/3/2026House
  18. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/27/2026Senate
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB206)

    1/27/2026Senate
  20. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/26/2026Senate
  21. Engrossed by Senate

    1/26/2026Senate
  22. Read second time

    1/26/2026Senate
  23. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/23/2026Senate
  24. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/23/2026Senate
  25. Passed by for the day

    1/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

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