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VA HB1286

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/14/2026

Primary Sponsor

Wendell Walker

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Amends Virginia Code § 18.2-57 to add employees of local and state departments of social services to the list of protected workers under enhanced assault and battery penalties
  • Battery against a social services employee engaged in their duties would be a Class 1 misdemeanor with a mandatory sentence of 15 days in jail, including 2 days mandatory minimum confinement
  • Places social services workers in the same protected category as health care providers working in hospitals or emergency rooms
  • Introduced January 14, 2026 by Delegate Walker for the 2026 legislative session

Legislative Description

Assault and battery; employees of state or local department of social services, penalty.

Last Action

Left in Committee Courts of Justice

2/18/2026

Committee Referrals

Education2/18/2026
Courts of Justice2/18/2026
Courts of Justice: Criminal1/24/2026
Courts of Justice1/14/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available