VA HB667

Expands the definition of "child" in Virginia's juvenile and domestic relations court law to include unmarried noncitizens between ages 18 and 21 who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected and for whom physical custody is sought under the new provisions.

Allows noncitizens aged 18-21 to petition the juvenile and domestic relations district court directly to be placed in the physical custody of a proposed custodian, with the petition filed in either the jurisdiction where the petitioner resides or where the proposed custodian resides.

Requires notice of the custody petition and any hearing to be served on the proposed custodian; if the proposed custodian is someone other than the person who had legal custody before the petitioner turned 18, notice must also be served on the petitioner's parent or prior legal custodian.

Permits a petitioner under this new provision to concurrently or subsequently seek court findings necessary to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status under federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(27)(J)) and to petition to terminate the physical custody arrangement at any time.