VA HB16

Courts must allow any person with fines and costs to discharge them through community service work or work performed while incarcerated, changing this from an optional program to a mandatory offering

Work performed while incarcerated qualifies for credits when the person is paid less than Virginia minimum wage, with credits calculated at the community service rate minus any wages received

The provision applies retroactively to work performed on or after July 1, 2023, at any local, regional, or state correctional facility

Correctional facilities must provide confirmation of hours worked and credits earned upon request by the incarcerated person or their designated representative

Courts must inform defendants of the availability of earning credits through community service or incarcerated work and provide written notice of program terms and conditions