HB879Introduced in the House of Delegates
Public assistance; requests for records or information concerning applicants for and recipients.
Introduced by Irene Shin, District 8
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Department of Social Services; requests for records or information concerning applicants for and recipients of public assistance; public notice required. Requires the Commissioner of Social Services to make a public notice available on the Department of Social Services' website within 10 days of receiving a request for a record or information concerning 25 or more applicants for or recipients of public assistance or child support for a purpose not directly connected to the administration of such programs. If a local department of social services receives a request for information that meets the requirements of the bill, such local department of social services is required to notify the Commissioner of such request. The bill establishes the form of such public notice and requires such notice to be made available (i) regardless of whether such information has been previously been shared; (ii) regardless of the identity of the requestor, unless such request is permitted under existing law; and (iii) even when a request is made in compliance with state and federal law and regulation.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0689)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A) · February 24, 2026
21
Yes
18
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.
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 | No |
| 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 26104792D
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
Assigned sub: Social Services
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB879)
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 2-N)
Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) (15-Y 7-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendments agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (62-Y 34-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 (HB879)
Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services (9-Y 3-N 3-A)
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 (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB879ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB879)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 689 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0689)
Verify the information
- Official page on the Virginia Legislature website
- Social Services Subcommittee Amendment (amendment)
- Health and Human Services Amendment (amendment)
- Health and Human Services Amendment (amendment)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Engrossed (text)
- Enrolled (text)
- Chaptered (text)
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