HB118Introduced in the House of Delegates
Discovery materials or evidence; accused may request to copy or photograph any materials.
Introduced by Karen Keys-Gamarra, District 7
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Discovery; methods of delivery. Requires the Commonwealth, upon request by the accused or his counsel, to copy or photograph any discovery materials or evidence the accused is permitted to inspect and review, including relevant police reports, criminal records, dashboard camera footage, and body-worn camera footage, and requires the Commonwealth to provide copies to the accused or his counsel, subject to the redaction, restricted dissemination, and protective order provisions of the relevant Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia and unless such material is prohibited from being distributed by law.The bill requires the attorney for the Commonwealth in any district court to provide to counsel of record for the accused, if requested, a copy of any relevant police report at least 10 days prior to the date the case is set for trial or preliminary hearing, and such report is subject to limitations on dissemination. The bill further provides that if such materials are provided to counsel of record for the accused in district court for a preliminary hearing, the circuit court shall order such counsel to provide discovery to the attorney for the Commonwealth subject to the relevant Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia prior to trial in circuit court. Lastly, the bill provides that if at any time during the course of the proceedings it is brought to the attention of the court that the attorney for the Commonwealth has failed to comply with such provisions, the court may order the Commonwealth to permit discovery or inspection, grant a continuance, or prohibit the Commonwealth from introducing evidence not disclosed, or the court may enter such other order as it deems just under the circumstances. This bill is identical to SB 24.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0562)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
6 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Conference report agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 13, 2026
39
Yes
0
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101890D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (20-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26105982D-H1
Read first time
Read second time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Read third time and passed House (96-Y 2-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB118)
Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26108652D-S1
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate substitute rejected by House (4-Y 94-N 0-A)
Senate insisted on substitute (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate requested conference committee
House acceded to request
Conferees appointed by Senate
Senate Conferees: Carroll Foy, Perry, McDougle
Conferees appointed by House
House Conferees: Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Griffin
Conference Report released
Conference report agreed to by House (81-Y 14-N 0-A)
Conference Report released
Conference report agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB118ER)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB118)
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 562 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0562)
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