VA HB296

Requires the Virginia Department of Corrections to establish and publicly post an objective dress code for prison visitors on its website and in facility lobbies, with specific measurable standards and prohibitions against banning religious attire or underwire bras

Mandates that visitor entry denials be reviewed in person by the facility administrative duty officer and approved by a regional administrator, with written reasoning provided to the visitor

Requires annual reporting to the General Assembly and Governor by November 1 on visitor denials, including number of denials and specific policy violations cited, disaggregated by facility and month

Establishes a work group including advocates, researchers, mental health professionals, and corrections staff to develop training recommendations on anti-discrimination practices, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based visitation policies, with findings due November 1, 2026

Codifies existing procedures for visitor screening including electronic scanning, canine searches, and options for non-contact visits when contraband detection occurs but visitors decline personal searches