Courts Of Justice

Friday, February 13, 2026·46m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Virginia Courts of Justice Committee advanced 14 bills ranging from protections for correctional officers to gift card fraud and probation reform, with the sharpest debates over mandatory minimums for attacking correctional officers (HB 294/295, both passing 13-8) and a two-tier mandatory reporting penalty system for child abuse (HB 1414, passing 19-2). A contested zoning standing bill (HB 447) passed 13-8 with a reenactment clause added to allow continued work.

Key Actions

·HB 294 – Malicious Bodily Injury to Correctional OfficersNo Vote

+ 13 more actions

Controversies

Mandatory minimums for attacking or killing correctional officers (HB 294/295)

Delegate Simon argued philosophically against mandatory minimums, noting the first corrections officer fatality in over 50 years occurred without such minimums and that their presence may cause judges to convict on lesser offenses. Delegate Williams countered that Simon's position represented a minority voice in his own caucus and urged the bill forward. Delegate Koeplan argued that correctional officers are law enforcement officers and their inclusion alongside firefighters and other covered personnel was long overdue.

+ 2 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“Lewis Hall. He was killed, murdered by an inmate. It was the first one in about 50 years, to my understanding. And these bills both simply are bringing corrections officers into the code in line with other public safety officers, law enforcement officers, fire marshals, etc. Good. No, thank you for that. Any questions for Delegate Cornett? Delegate Simon, do you want to be recognized? I don't have a question. I'd just to speak to the vote the appropriate time. Of course, Delegate Simon. All right. So,”
Delegate Simon — Delegate Simon explaining his vote against HB 294 and HB 295, which would add mandatory minimum sentences for malicious wounding and murder of correctional officers.

+ 2 more quotes

Votes

Report HB 294 – Malicious bodily injury to correctional officersPassed

Report HB 295 – Aggravated murder of a correctional officerPassed

Report HB 1414 with substitute – Mandatory reporting of child abuse; penaltiesPassed

Report HB 447 with substitute as amended – Zoning appeal standingPassed

Report HB 489 with substitute – Restorative justice practicesPassed

Report HB 548 with substitute – Uniform Health Care Decisions ActPassed

Report HB 1413 with substitute – Probation technical violationsPassed

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TranscriptPreview

We'll now come to order. Clerk will open the roll so everyone can take attendance. All right. Clerk will please close the roll. We have a quorum. All right, first item on the agenda is an executive action. We're going to. I'd like a motion to Continue House Bill 251, patron, by Delegate Watts to continue to 2027 or Rule 22. Got a motion and property. Second. All in favor say Aye. Aye. Opposed? All right, that bill is. Is continued until 2027. And so with that, we'll jump right into the subcommittee reports. And first up, I'll turn to Chair Watts for the criminal subcommittee. Chair Watts, thank you so much. Mr. Chair. I believe I trying to check how many I have that are uncontested. I move all the amendments and substitutes uncontested block. Got a motion to move all amendments and substitutes. Maldonado seconds. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Okay, that. That's appropriate. Those are moved in the uncontested block. First we have HB 124 Rezor. It adds a general district court judge under temporary recall to the definition of judge as it relates to the crime of assault and battery, which is enhanced. Excuse…

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