The People's Ledger
← All Virginia bills

SB198Introduced in the Senate

Individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities; admissibility of statements.

Engrossed

Introduced by Barbara Favola, District 40

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

Admissibility of statements by individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities in certain cases. Prohibits admission of any evidence from an individual with developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities, as defined in relevant law, in certain criminal prosecutions unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that such individual's decision to speak to law enforcement was not caused by and did not have a direct and substantial relationship to such individual's disability. The bill requires notice be given to the attorney for the Commonwealth if a defendant intends to introduce expert testimony regarding his disability. The bill prohibits any statements made by a defendant during an examination by an expert witness from being used against him except for impeachment or perjury. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by a subsequent regular or special session of the General Assembly. 

Where it stands

Tabled in Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

March 9, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

House of DelegatesStage: Tabled in Appropriations (22-Y 0-N) · March 9, 2026

22

Yes

0

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

22 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates 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 delegate voted

DelegateDistrictVote
Charniele Herring4Yes
Paul Krizek16Yes
Kathy Tran18Yes
Joshua Thomas21Yes
Luke Torian24Yes
Briana Sewell25Yes
David Reid28Yes
Bill Wiley32Yes
Ellen McLaughlin36Yes
Terry Austin37Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104790D

  2. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB198)

  4. Senate committee offered

  5. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

  6. Committee substitute printed 26105843D-S1

  7. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendment (13-Y 2-N)

  8. Rules suspended

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

  10. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  11. Read second time

  12. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

  13. Finance and Appropriations Amendment agreed to

  14. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended (Voice Vote)

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

  16. Placed on Calendar

  17. Read first time

  18. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  19. Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal

  20. House subcommittee offered

  21. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 3-N)

  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB198)

  23. Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)

  24. Tabled in Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

Verify the information

Our commitment to neutrality

We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.