APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR​​

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HB1759 Department of Corrections; Department of Workforce Development and Advancement; post-release job search assistance services.
I ntroduced by Debra D. Gardner [D] 

View the bill here.
Provides that the Department of Corrections shall work with the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement to provide post-release job search assistance services to assist individuals in finding employment upon release from incarceration and refer such individuals to case management services where eligible.
02/14/2025 Senate: Passed Senate with amendment (36-Y 0-N)

02/18/2025 Senate Amendment agreed to by House (96-Y 0-N)  
02/20/2025 Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1759ER)

03//21/2025 Approved by Governor-Chapter 194 (Effective 07/01/25)

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HB1846 Application for change of name; person required to register on the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry; victim notification.
Introduced by: Jonathan "Jed" Arnold [R]

View the bill here.
Requires the attorney for the Commonwealth to make a reasonable effort to notify the victim of an offense for which a person is required to register on the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry or such victim's immediate family member if such victim has died when such registrant applies for a change of name with the court.
01/30/2025 Read third time and passed House (95-Y 0-N) 
02/10/2025 Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)  
03/21/2025 Approved by Governor-Chapter 206 (Effective 07/01/25)

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HB2242 Probationer, parolee, or felon serving period of postrelease supervision without warrant; arrest.
Introduced by: Katrina Callsen [D]

Status: Approved

View the bill here.
Provides that upon the arrest of a probationer, parolee, or felon serving a period of postrelease supervision, the probation or parole officer shall, within 24 hours but no later than three business days after the arrest of the probationer, parolee, or felon (i) submit a copy of any written statement alleging a violation of the terms and conditions of parole or probation, including any PB-15 or major violation report, to the local attorney for the Commonwealth and the clerk of court for the circuit court responsible for supervision of the probationer, parolee, or felon and advise such persons of his arrest and (ii) request the circuit court of the sentencing jurisdiction to issue a capias or bench warrant for the alleged violation contained in the written statement.
01/30/2025 Read third time and passed House (96-Y 0-N)
02/19/2025 Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N) 
02/20/2025 Senate Amendments agreed to by House (96-Y 1-N)

03/24/2025 Approved by Governor-Chapter 412 (Effective 07/01/25)​​​​

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SB936 Decreasing probation period; criteria for mandatory reduction.
Status: Passed House and Senate with amendments.
Introduced by: Christie New Craig [R]
View the bill here.

Establishes criteria for which a defendant's supervised probation period shall be reduced, including completing qualifying educational activities, maintaining verifiable employment, complying with or completing any state-certified or state-approved mental health or substance abuse treatment program, securing and maintaining qualifying health insurance or a qualifying health care plan, and obtaining housing and establishing residence. The bill provides that a court may decrease a defendant's probation period if warranted by the defendant's conduct and may do so without a hearing, but the court may also revoke any credits accrued after a hearing for any reason the court deems necessary and in the interest of the health and safety of the public.

The bill also requires the Department of Corrections to meet with all relevant stakeholders and report to the General Assembly on (i) current practices for community supervision as it relates to monitoring engagement and attainment included in Executive Order 36 (2024) and (ii) recommendations for court-ordered modification of time served on supervised probation. However, no recommendation shall be considered that allows the probationer (a) to receive credits while being in technical violation of his probation or (b) to receive more than 150 days of credit in one calendar year for a modified term. The work group shall take into consideration the impact of a reduced period of supervised probation on probationers who were released from incarceration due to sentence reductions pursuant to relevant law. The work group shall submit an executive summary and report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2025.

Except for the provision requiring the Department of Corrections to meet with all relevant stakeholders and report to the Governor and General Assembly, the provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2026 Session of the General Assembly.  Bill is identical to HB2252 
01/31/2025 Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)    

02/13/2025 House: Passed House with substitute (57-Y 40-N)

02/18/2025 House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N)  
02/19/2025 House insisted on substitute    
02/19/2025 House requested conference committee    
02/20/2025 Senate acceded to request (39-Y 0-N)  
02/20/2025 Conferees appointed by Senate    
02/20/2025 Senators: Craig, Favola, Carroll Foy    
02/20/2025 Conferees appointed by House    
02/20/2025 Conferees appointed by House    
02/21/2025 Delegates: Callsen, Cousins, Williams

02/22/2025 House: Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 30-N) 
02/22/2025 Senate: Conference report agreed to by Senate (36-Y 3-N)

02/26/2025 Senate: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB936)

03/07/2025 Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB936ER)

03/11/2025 Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025

04/02/2025 Governor's recommendation adopted       
04/02/2025 Enacted, Chapter 611 (Effective - see bill)    
04/02/2025 Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0611)

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FAILED BILLS

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HB2014 Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry; registration intervals for Tier I and Tier II offenses.
Introduced by Chris Obenshain [R]

Status: Failed
View the bill here. 
Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry; registration intervals for Tier I and Tier II offenses. Requires any person who is required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry and who is convicted of a Tier I or Tier II offense to register yearly. The bill also requires any person convicted of providing false information or failing to provide registration information where such person was included on the Registry for a Tier II offense to register twice a year.
01/07/2025 Referred to Committee on Public Safety
01/15/2025 Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2014)

02/05/2025 House: Left in Public Safety

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HB2271 Postrelease supervision; a revocation hearing for violation, etc.
Introduced by: Chris Obenshain [R]

View the bill here.

Provides that a revocation hearing for a violation of postrelease supervision shall be conducted by the circuit court of the original sentencing jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions regarding revocation hearings for a suspended sentence or probation violation. Under current law, revocation hearings for violations of postrelease supervision are conducted by the Virginia Parole Board following the same procedures as a parole violation.    
01/07/2025 Referred to Committee on Public Safety
01/21/2025 Assigned PS sub: Public Safety 
01/23/2025 Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (4-Y 2-N)

 

SB971 Income tax, state; creates second-chance employment tax credit.
Introduced by: Aaron R. Rouse [D]

Status: Failed

View the bill here.

Creates a nonrefundable second-chance employment tax credit for taxable years 2025 through 2029 for five percent of the amount of wages paid to a qualified employee during the taxable year. The bill defines a qualified employee as an individual who was convicted of a felony or a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor. The annual amount of the credit that may be claimed by the employer shall not exceed $1,250 per qualified employee or $2,250 in the case of a qualified employee who is on probation or parole. The credit may be claimed in the first year in which the qualified employer employs a qualified employee and in each subsequent year in which such employer continues to employ such qualified employee. The bill requires that such qualified employer adopt and implement a second-chance hiring policy that meets or exceeds standards set in guidance by the Department of Human Resource Management. The aggregate amount of tax credits available in any fiscal year shall not exceed the amount appropriated for such year as provided in the general appropriation act.
01/06/2025 Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations
01/15/2025 Impact statement from TAX (SB971)

02/05/2025 Senate: Left in Finance and Appropriations