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SB173Introduced in the Senate

Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services.

Passed

Introduced by Angelia Williams Graves, District 21

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Weapons; possession prohibited in a hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly and intentionally possess in the building of any hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services in the Commonwealth, including an emergency department or other facility rendering emergency medical care, a (i) firearm, (ii) knife with a blade over three and one-half inches, or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives and stun weapons. The bill also provides that notice of such prohibitions shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance of any hospital and that no person shall be convicted of the offense if such notice is not posted, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions. The bill provides that such firearm, knife, explosive, or weapon shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and specifies certain exceptions to the prohibition. This bill is identical to HB 229.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1109)

May 14, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

2 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A) · April 22, 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.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3Absent
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105103D

  2. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  3. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/12/2026 11:30 am)

  4. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)

  5. Senate committee offered

  6. Committee substitute printed 26106282D-S1

  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB173)

  8. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/30/2026 1:45 pm)

  9. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

  10. Rules suspended

  11. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  12. Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB173)

  14. Read second time

  15. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

  16. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

  17. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

  18. Placed on Calendar

  19. Read first time

  20. Referred to Committee on Public Safety

  21. Reported from Public Safety (13-Y 7-N)

  22. Read second time

  23. Read third time

  24. Passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)

  25. Enrolled

  26. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB173ER)

  27. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB173)

  28. Signed by Speaker

  29. Signed by President

  30. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

  31. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  32. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

  33. Substitute bill reprinted 26110156D

  34. Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  35. Communicated to Governor

  36. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026

  37. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1109 (effective 7/1/2026)

  38. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1109)

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