VA SB198

Allows courts to suppress statements made by defendants with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, or intellectual disabilities to law enforcement during pretrial interviews or before counsel appointment if the disability directly influenced their decision to speak

Excludes capital murder cases (§ 18.2-31) and acts of violence (§ 19.2-297.1) from the suppression protections

Creates a presumption that the disability influenced the defendant's decision to speak if standardized testing shows adaptive functioning at or below the level of a 14-year-old in relevant domains

Requires defense to file written motions at least seven days before trial in circuit court, with hearings held at least three days before trial

Requires reenactment by a subsequent General Assembly session before taking effect