HB283Introduced in the House of Delegates
Child abuse or neglect; prenatal use of a controlled substance or drug as prescribed.
Introduced by Debra Gardner, District 76
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Child abuse or neglect; prenatal use of a controlled substance or drug as prescribed. Clarifies that a pregnant woman's prenatal use of a controlled substance or drug as prescribed by such woman's health care provider for opioid addiction recovery shall not solely be a reason to suspect that a child is abused or neglected.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0585)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) · March 10, 2026
21
Yes
19
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 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | No |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | No |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | No |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101372D
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB283)
Assigned sub: Social Services
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 1-N)
Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) (20-Y 2-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendment agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (73-Y 25-N 0-A)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB283)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services (13-Y 0-N)
Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services (11-Y 4-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB283ER)
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB283)
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 585 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0585)
Verify the information
- Official page on the Virginia Legislature website
- Health and Human Services Amendment (amendment)
- Social Services Subcommittee Amendment (amendment)
- Health and Human Services Amendment (amendment)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Engrossed (text)
- Enrolled (text)
- Chaptered (text)
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