HB251Introduced in the House of Delegates
Assault and battery; creates Class 6 felony for serious bodily injury.
Introduced by Vivian Watts, District 14
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Assault and battery; serious bodily injury; penalty. Creates a Class 6 felony for any person who commits an assault and battery that results in serious bodily injury, as defined in relevant law, but does not rise to the level of the current offenses of unlawful or malicious wounding. The bill adds such new offense to the list of violent felony offenses for the purposes of the discretionary sentencing guidelines.
Where it stands
Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
February 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
No recorded vote is available for this bill yet.
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.
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102460D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/9/2026 11:01 am)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB251)
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
Verify the information
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