HB245Introduced in the House of Delegates
Jurisdiction of district courts in felony cases; specialty dockets, Behavioral Health Docket Act.
Introduced by Vivian Watts, District 14
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Jurisdiction of district courts in felony cases; specialty dockets; Behavioral Health Docket Act. Authorizes a general district court and a juvenile and domestic relations district court to retain jurisdiction over a felony offense for the purpose of allowing the accused to complete a specialty docket or behavioral health docket established pursuant to relevant law. Current law only explicitly provides such courts with the ability to certify felony charges to the circuit court or dismiss such charges after a preliminary hearing to determine if probable cause exists for such charges.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0580)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) · February 25, 2026
40
Yes
0
No
0
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
| 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 26102480D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB245)
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice (18-Y 1-N)
Read first time
Read second time and engrossed
Read third time and passed House (76-Y 19-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Reported from Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB245ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB245)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 580 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0580)
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