HB553Introduced in the House of Delegates
Corrections, Department of; language services for offenders.
Introduced by Jessica Anderson, District 71
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Department of Corrections; language services for offenders. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall take reasonable steps to provide offenders with limited English proficiency meaningful access to Department facilities, services, programs, and activities to ensure that language does not prevent Department employees from communicating effectively with such offenders.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1059)
April 22, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 17-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026
22
Yes
17
No
1
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 | Absent |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| 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 26101313D
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
Assigned HMPPS sub: Subcommittee #2
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 1-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB553)
Reported from Public Safety with amendment(s) (16-Y 5-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendments agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (68-Y 30-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB553)
Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services (11-Y 4-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB553)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Governor's recommendation received by House
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (68-Y 31-N 0-A)
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 17-N 0-A)
Governor's recommendation adopted
Reenrolled
Reenrolled bill text (HB553ER2)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Approved by Governor-Chapter 1059 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1059)
Verify the information
- Official page on the Virginia Legislature website
- Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee Amendment (amendment)
- Public Safety Amendment (amendment)
- Public Safety Amendment (amendment)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Veto Letter (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Engrossed (text)
- Enrolled (text)
- Enrolled (text)
- Chaptered (text)
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