HB185Introduced in the House of Delegates
Orders closing a proceeding; petitions for review.
Introduced by Leslie Chambers Mehta, District 73
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Orders closing a proceeding; petitions for review. Provides that when a circuit court acts on or issues an order pertaining to the closure of a proceeding, such order is eligible for immediate appellate review with the Supreme Court of Virginia. The bill further provides that any person aggrieved by such an order may, within 15 days of the entry of such an order, file a petition for review with the Supreme Court of Virginia. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Boyd-Graves Conference.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0366)
April 8, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Senate amendments agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 12, 2026
97
Yes
0
No
2
Absent or Not Voting
99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Absent |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103517D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB185)
Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice (19-Y 0-N)
Read first time
Read second time and engrossed
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 1-N)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Engrossed by Senate as amended
Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate amendments agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB185ER)
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB185)
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 366 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0366)
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