VirginiaSB7142026 Regular SessionSenate

Local pretrial services officers; duties and responsibilities, defendant interviews, assessments.

Sponsored By: R. Creigh Deeds (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Duties and responsibilities of local pretrial services officers; assessments. Requires a local pretrial services officer to conduct a risk assessment of defendants arrested on state and local warrants and who are detained in jails located in jurisdictions served by the local pretrial services agency while awaiting a hearing before any court that is considering or reconsidering bail, at initial appearance, advisement or arraignment, or at other subsequent hearings. Current law requires a local pretrial services officer to interview such defendants. The bill also provides that each local pretrial services officer may conduct defendant interviews as appropriate and when available resources permit.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Help getting lawyers and interpreters

Pretrial officers may fill out the financial form to help a defendant qualify for a court‑appointed lawyer. When the court asks and procedures are approved, they may coordinate court‑appointed counsel. They may also coordinate interpreters for people who speak other languages or are deaf or hard of hearing. These services depend on available resources.

Stronger pretrial checks before bail

Local pretrial officers must interview jailed defendants and run a risk check before bail hearings. They must give judges a written report with facts and recommendations. They may also give magistrates information and do investigations for the first bail hearing, when resources allow.

More options for supervised release

Pretrial officers may sign for custody when a court releases a person to pretrial supervision, alone or with an unsecured bond. They may supervise home electronic monitoring ordered by a judge. These services happen only when resources allow.

Optional drug screening and treatment help

With court approval and resources, officers may do drug or alcohol screenings during the bail check or after release. Screenings must follow state‑approved rules. Officers may help place people in substance abuse or other treatment, or refer them to a behavioral health docket, when the court orders it.

Tighter supervision while on release

Pretrial officers supervise people on release to help them follow bail rules. They must do random drug or alcohol tests when a judge orders it or bail bars heavy drinking or illegal drug use. If someone on supervision breaks rules and poses a flight, safety, or personal risk, officers must seek a capias. They must ask for an order to show cause when a later court hearing is needed. They must give police information to help return the person to custody when a capias is sought.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • R. Creigh Deeds

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 338 • No: 19

House vote 3/4/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 3/4/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/27/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/17/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/17/2026

Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 23 • No: 16

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments

Yes: 9 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0526)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 526 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB714)

    3/11/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB714ER)

    3/10/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/10/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/10/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/10/2026House
  10. Passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026House
  11. Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House

    3/4/2026House
  12. Passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026House
  13. Read third time

    3/4/2026House
  14. Read second time

    3/3/2026House
  15. Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)

    3/2/2026House
  16. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

    2/27/2026House
  17. Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal

    2/24/2026House
  18. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/24/2026House
  19. Read first time

    2/24/2026House
  20. Placed on Calendar

    2/24/2026House
  21. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB714)

    2/18/2026Senate
  22. Read third time and passed Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026Senate
  23. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026Senate
  24. Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to

    2/17/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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