HB853Introduced in the House of Delegates
Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility, procedures, report.
Introduced by Rae Cousins, District 79
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
Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility; procedures; report. Provides procedures for individuals serving a sentence for certain felony convictions or a combination of such convictions who remain incarcerated in a state or local correctional facility or secure facility and meet certain criteria to petition the circuit court that entered the original judgment or order to (i) suspend the unserved portion of such sentence or run the unserved portion of such sentence concurrently with another sentence, (ii) place such person on probation for such time as the court shall determine, or (iii) otherwise modify the sentence imposed. Depending on the type of conviction, the bill allows the court to grant a hearing on such petition after an individual has served at least 25 years for certain offenses, after 20 years for certain other offenses, and after 15 years for any other felony conviction not specified. The bill directs the Department of Corrections to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to (a) consider and recommend best practices for implementation of the bill and (b) evaluate and recommend updates to victim notification systems. The work group shall complete its meetings by November 1, 2026, and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2026.
Where it stands
Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
February 11, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
No recorded vote is available for this bill yet.
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.
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105027D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/4/2026 10:34 am)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)
Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/9/2026 11:33 am)
Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
Verify the information
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