HB295Introduced in the House of Delegates
Aggravated murder; adds correctional officers to definition, punishment.
Introduced by Mitchell Cornett, District 46
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
Aggravated murder defined; correctional officers; punishment. Adds to the definition of aggravated murder, which is a Class 1 felony, the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of a correctional officer, defined in relevant law, when such killing is for the purpose of interfering with the performance of his official duties. The bill also provides that where the offender was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense, the punishment shall be no less than a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life.
Where it stands
Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (7-Y 8-N)
February 25, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
SenateStage: Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (7-Y 8-N) · February 25, 2026
7
Yes
8
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
15 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
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.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Jones | 77 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
| Creigh Deeds | 11 | No |
| Glen Sturtevant | 12 | Yes |
| Richard Stuart | 25 | Yes |
| Ryan McDougle | 26 | Yes |
| Russet Perry | 31 | Yes |
| Kannan Srinivasan | 32 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103862D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/12/2026 11:03 am)
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/15/2026 1:16 pm)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB295)
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice (13-Y 8-N)
Read first time
Read second time and engrossed
Read third time and passed House (87-Y 7-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (7-Y 8-N)
Verify the information
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