HB520Introduced in the House of Delegates
Clerk fees; secure remote access to nonconfidential court records by certain attorneys.
Introduced by Phil Hernandez, District 94
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Clerk fees; secure remote access to nonconfidential court records by certain attorneys. Provides that no clerk shall charge a fee to an attorney for secure remote access to nonconfidential court records when such attorney is certified by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission in the jurisdiction served by such clerk, provided that such attorney is currently appointed to represent a defendant in such jurisdiction and agrees to continue accepting appointments in such jurisdiction. The bill also provides that if, after receiving secure remote access for nonconfidential court records, such attorney (i) is found to have abused such privilege of such secure remote access; (ii) is removed from the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission's court-appointed attorney list; or (iii) ceases to accept appointments for representation from the granting court, the clerk may terminate the agreement granting such secure remote access. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. This bill is identical to SB 82.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0159)
April 6, 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 (31-Y 9-N 0-A) · March 4, 2026
31
Yes
9
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | No |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | No |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103953D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26106770D-H1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB520)
Read first time
Read second time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (12-Y 2-N)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 4-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
Passed Senate (31-Y 9-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB520ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB520)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 159 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0159)
Verify the information
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