# Virginia SB946: Assault and battery; adds officers of Va. Marine Police to definition of law-enforcement officer.

Virginia SB946, Assault and battery; adds officers of Va. Marine Police to definition of law-enforcement officer., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Bill DeSteph (Republican); status failed, last action 2025-01-15 (Incorporated by Courts of Justice (SB926-Stuart) (11-Y 0-N)) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB946-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB946
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Assault and battery; adds officers of Va. Marine Police to definition of law-enforcement officer.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-06
- Last action: 2025-01-15, Incorporated by Courts of Justice (SB926-Stuart) (11-Y 0-N)
- Sponsor: Bill DeSteph (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (11 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Assault and battery; Virginia Marine Police officers; penalty. Adds Virginia Marine Police officers to the definition of "law-enforcement officer" as such definition relates to the Class 6 felony for any person who commits an assault or assault and battery against another knowing or having reason to know that such other person is a law-enforcement officer.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Bill DeSteph (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-15 | Senate | Incorporated by Courts of Justice (SB926-Stuart) | pass | 11 | 0 |   |

## Actions (4)

- 2025-01-15: Incorporated by Courts of Justice (SB926-Stuart) (11-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2025-01-08: Impact statement from VCSC (SB946) (Senate)
- 2025-01-06: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2025-01-06: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25103432D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2025-01-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013826.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013825.PDF)

## 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.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013826.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013825.PDF)

## 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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- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB946-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).