2026 PENALTIES BILLS
HB294 Malicious bodily injury to correctional officers; penalties.
Introduced by: Mitchell Cornett (Chief Patron) [R]
View the bill here.
Provides that if any person maliciously causes bodily injury to another by any means, including the means set out in existing law, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or kill, and knowing or having reason to know that such other person is a correctional officer, as defined in relevant law, engaged in the performance of his public duties as a correctional officer, such person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for a period of not less than five years nor more than 30 years and, subject to existing law, a fine of not more than $100,000; upon conviction, the sentence of such person shall include a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of two years.
The bill also provides that if any person unlawfully, but not maliciously, with the intent aforesaid, causes bodily injury to another by any means, knowing or having reason to know such other person is a correctional officer engaged in the performance of his public duties as a correctional officer, he is guilty of a Class 6 felony, and upon conviction, the sentence of such person shall include a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year.
1/9/2026 House Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/9/2026 4:50 pm)
1/9/2026 House Committee Referral Pending
HB295 Aggravated murder defined; correctional officers; punishment.
Introduced by: Mitchell Cornett (Chief Patron) [R]
View the bill here.
Adds to the definition of aggravated murder, which is a Class 1 felony, the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of a correctional officer, defined in relevant law, when such killing is for the purpose of interfering with the performance of his official duties. The bill also provides that where the offender was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense, the punishment shall be no less than a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life.
1/9/2026 House Committee Referral Pending