VirginiaSB3172026 Regular SessionSenate

Interjurisdictional law-enforcement agreements; development of behavioral health co-response teams.

Sponsored By: Russet Perry (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Interjurisdictional law-enforcement agreements; behavioral health co-response teams. Provides that interjurisdictional law-enforcement agreements may allow for the development of co-response teams staffed by one or more law-enforcement agencies that respond to behavioral health-related calls in multiple jurisdictions. This bill is a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission. This bill is identical to HB 248.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Easier cross-border police cooperation

The law lets Virginia localities sign formal deals to share police services with nearby localities, some federal agencies with police powers, campus police, Capitol Police, certified private police, and State Police. Agreements can set joint 911 response lines for neighboring areas and say who covers workers’ comp and risk insurance. They can also allow lending unmarked police cars and even merging police departments. Officers working under these deals have the same powers, including arrest, in all subscribing places. The law keeps existing limits on who enforces federal versus Virginia laws.

Joint mental-health crisis response teams

Localities can create behavioral health co-response teams that work across jurisdictions. These teams, staffed by one or more law‑enforcement agencies, respond to mental-health and behavioral crisis calls. People in crisis may get faster, more coordinated help.

Sheriff-led town policing by contract

A county and any town in it can sign a three-way service contract with the county sheriff for town policing. Under the contract, the sheriff becomes the town’s chief of police. The sheriff and deputies can enforce the town’s ordinances and have the same powers and legal protections as town officers. Towns that use this option give up having a separate police chief while the contract is in place.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Russet Perry

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 211 • No: 0

House vote 2/16/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Public Safety

Yes: 20 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/28/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/27/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/27/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/26/2026

Reported from Local Government

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0536)

    4/10/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 536 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/10/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

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

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB317)

    2/18/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB317ER)

    2/18/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    2/18/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    2/18/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/18/2026House
  10. Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/16/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/16/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/15/2026House
  13. Reported from Public Safety (20-Y 0-N)

    2/13/2026House
  14. Referred to Committee on Public Safety

    2/4/2026House
  15. Read first time

    2/4/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/4/2026House
  17. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/29/2026Senate
  18. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/28/2026Senate
  19. Read second time

    1/28/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/27/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/27/2026Senate
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB317)

    1/27/2026Senate
  23. Read first time

    1/27/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day

    1/27/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    1/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

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