VirginiaSB2762026 Regular SessionSenate

State correctional facilities; visitation policies, annual report.

Sponsored By: Angelia Williams Graves (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

State correctional facilities; visitation policies; work group. Sets additional visitation standards for visitors to state correctional facilities. The bill requires the Department of Corrections (the Department) to provide extended or additional visitation access for long-distance visitors. The bill provides that each in-person visit shall last a minimum of two hours unless shortened at the request of either the visitor or the incarcerated individual, or in response to an active security event. The bill also provides that visitation privileges may be suspended only for conduct occurring during visitation that presents a direct and substantial threat to the physical safety of participants or the security of the correctional facility. The bill provides a timeline and process for appealing any suspension of visitation rights. Finally, the bill directs the Department to convene a work group to consider and develop practical policy and legislative recommendations regarding visitation. The work group is required to report its findings and specific legislative and policy recommendations to the General Assembly by October 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 173.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Fair limits on visit suspensions and bans

The law narrows when visits can be suspended. Only conduct during a visit that directly and substantially threatens safety or security can lead to suspension. Confinement status, nonviolent rule issues, or substance-screen results alone do not justify denial, suspension, or revocation. Every suspension needs written proof with the conduct, date, time, and threat. A first suspension can last no more than 60 days; a repeat within 12 months can last no more than 120 days. The Department must give written notice within 5 business days. You can appeal within 15 calendar days, and an uninvolved official must decide within 20 calendar days. Visits come back automatically when the suspension ends unless the appeal upholds it. A permanent ban requires at least three documented serious violations. Revocation means a permanent loss of visits after multiple serious violations verified by reliable evidence.

More and longer in-person visits

The law expands in-person visitation at state correctional facilities. The Department must keep seating and scheduling at least at each site’s maximum safe seating capacity. Each visit lasts at least two hours, unless the visitor or the incarcerated person asks for less or a security event cuts it short. Visits may continue past two hours if seating allows. Hand-holding is allowed for the full visit. Long‑distance visitors (150 driving miles or more from the facility) get extended or extra visit time when space and real security needs allow. Security rules must be truly needed to prevent escape, violence, or contraband and cannot be used for administrative convenience.

Clear rules for visitor screening

Facilities must tell visitors which items are allowed or banned at entry. Staff may store lawful items that are not allowed inside and return them after the visit if they have space. If scanners, wands, or detector dogs are available, facilities use them to screen visitors. If no contraband is indicated and you are eligible, you get a contact visit. If only a detector dog alerts and you refuse a personal search, you may still visit without contact. If a scanner or wand alerts and you refuse a search, entry may be denied. You may stop a search and leave before contraband is found, and the facility cannot bar you from future visits for that choice. If contraband is found, the facility reviews the incident. If it came from staff or internal operations, uninvolved visitors are not restricted unless there is direct evidence against them.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Angelia Williams Graves

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 393 • No: 138

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 64 • No: 32

Senate vote 3/12/2026

House substitute agreed to by Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Reconsideration of House substitute agreed to by Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/12/2026

House substitute rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 40

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate acceded to request Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/11/2026

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 64 • No: 34

House vote 3/6/2026

Reported from Rules with substitute

Yes: 13 • No: 5

House vote 3/2/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 4 • No: 1

House vote 3/2/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 4 • No: 1

House vote 3/2/2026

Reconsidered by Rules (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

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 with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/23/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 8 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0572)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 572 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB276)

    4/1/2026Senate
  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

    3/31/2026Senate
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB276ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB276)

    3/18/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  12. Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 32-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  13. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  14. House Conferees: Anthony, Gardner, McLaughlin

    3/12/2026House
  15. Conferees appointed by House

    3/12/2026House
  16. Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  17. House requested conference committee

    3/12/2026House
  18. House insisted on substitute

    3/12/2026House
  19. House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  20. Reconsideration of House substitute agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  21. House substitute agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  22. Senate acceded to request

    3/12/2026Senate
  23. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  24. Senate Conferees: Williams Graves, Carroll Foy, DeSteph

    3/12/2026Senate
  25. Passed House with substitute (64-Y 34-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House

Bill Text

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