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HB173Introduced in the House of Delegates

State correctional facilities; visitation policies, annual report.

Passed

Introduced by Bonita Anthony, District 92

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

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 SB 276.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0571)

April 13, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

7 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

6 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A) · March 14, 2026

21

Yes

18

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.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3No
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101239D

  2. Referred to Committee on Public Safety

  3. Assigned HPS sub: Subcommittee #2

  4. House subcommittee offered

  5. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 2-N)

  6. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)

  7. House committee offered

  8. Reported from Public Safety with substitute and referred to Appropriations (17-Y 4-N 1-A)

  9. Committee substitute printed 26107327D-H1

  10. Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety

  11. Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)

  12. Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)

  13. Read first time

  14. Read second time

  15. committee substitute agreed to

  16. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  17. Read third time and passed House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)

  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  19. Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

  20. Senate committee offered

  21. Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 1-N)

  22. Committee substitute printed 26108760D-S1

  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)

  24. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

  25. Committee substitute printed 26109174D-S2

  26. Rules suspended

  27. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  28. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  29. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)

  30. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  31. Read third time

  32. Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)

  33. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

  34. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  35. Passed Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  36. Senate substitute rejected by House (2-Y 97-N 0-A)

  37. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  38. Senate requested conference committee

  39. House acceded to request

  40. Conferees appointed by House

  41. House Conferees: Anthony, Gardner, McLaughlin

  42. Conferees appointed by Senate

  43. Senate Conferees: Carroll Foy, Jones, DeSteph

  44. Conference Report released

  45. Conference report agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)

  46. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  47. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)

  48. Enrolled

  49. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB173ER)

  50. Signed by President

  51. Signed by Speaker

  52. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  53. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  54. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB173)

  55. Approved by Governor-Chapter 571 (effective 7/1/2026)

  56. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0571)

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