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HB247Introduced in the House of Delegates

Deferred dispos. in criminal case; persons with autism, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.

Passed

Introduced by Vivian Watts, District 14

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Deferred disposition in a criminal case; persons with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities; expungement. Adds developmental disabilities to the autism and intellectual disability deferred disposition statute. The bill also provides that when a court defers and dismisses a charge pursuant to the autism, intellectual disability, or developmental disability deferred disposition statute, such charge may be considered as otherwise dismissed for purposes of expungement of police and court records. The bill also (i) clarifies that the defendant may request a hearing to determine the appropriateness of a deferred disposition at any time before or after any plea and (ii) provides that no statement made by the defendant at such a hearing is admissible in any criminal proceeding, except that any such statement made under oath may be admissible in a criminal proceeding for perjury or for purposes of impeachment in a criminal matter. This bill is identical to SB 416.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0960)

April 13, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

6 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

House of DelegatesStage: Senate substitute agreed to by House (62-Y 33-N 0-A) · February 27, 2026

62

Yes

33

No

4

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

DelegateDistrictVote
Patrick Hope1Yes
Adele McClure2Yes
Alfonso Lopez3Yes
Charniele Herring4Yes
Kirk McPike5Yes
Richard Sullivan6Yes
Karen Keys-Gamarra7Yes
Irene Shin8Yes
Karrie Delaney9Yes
Dan Helmer10Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102493D

  2. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB247)

  4. Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal

  5. House subcommittee offered

  6. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 2-N)

  7. Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)

  8. Assigned HAPP sub: General Government and Capital Outlay

  9. Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 1-N)

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

  11. Read first time

  12. Read second time

  13. committee amendments agreed to

  14. Engrossed by House as amended

  15. Read third time and passed House (59-Y 36-N 0-A)

  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  17. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  18. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB247)

  19. Senate committee offered

  20. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (10-Y 4-N)

  21. Committee substitute printed 26108374D-S1

  22. Rules suspended

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

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

  25. Read third time

  26. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

  27. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  28. Passed Senate with substitute (32-Y 8-N 0-A)

  29. Senate substitute agreed to by House (62-Y 33-N 0-A)

  30. Enrolled

  31. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB247ER)

  32. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB247)

  33. Signed by Speaker

  34. Signed by President

  35. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

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

  37. Approved by Governor-Chapter 960 (effective 7/1/2026)

  38. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0960)

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