HB331Introduced in the House of Delegates
Proceedings deferred; payment of costs.
Introduced by Adele McClure, District 2
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Payment of costs when proceedings deferred and defendant placed on probation. Provides that for any deferral entered into on or after July 1, 2026, pursuant to relevant law, the court shall not require the defendant to pay such costs or other fees imposed pursuant to relevant law as a term or condition of his deferral. The bill states that upon fulfillment of all other terms and conditions, the court shall adjudicate the matter consistent with the agreement of the parties or, if none, by conviction of an alternative charge or dismissal of the case. The bill specifies that such costs and other fees shall remain due until paid, and all methods of payment and collection already available at law to satisfy or collect any outstanding costs or other fees shall remain available to such court after the underlying case against the defendant has been adjudicated or dismissed.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0592)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Senate amendment agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A) · March 6, 2026
65
Yes
31
No
3
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
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101411D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB331)
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (17-Y 3-N)
Committee substitute printed 26105868D-H1
Read first time
Read second time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to
Engrossed by Senate as amended
Passed Senate with amendment (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
Senate amendment agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB331ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB331)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 592 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0592)
Verify the information
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