VirginiaVirginia State Bar would study secrecy terms in sexual-assault settlements
The Virginia State Bar would convene lawyers, survivors, and other stakeholders to study secrecy terms in certain sexual-offense injury settlements and report recommendations by November 1, 2026.
What it does
The Virginia State Bar would bring together lawyers, survivor representatives, and other stakeholders to study confidentiality terms in certain injury settlements involving sexual offenses.
Argument forIncluding survivors and victim-support groups could help lawmakers weigh how secrecy terms affect people and public policy.
Argument againstSurvivors could remain bound by confidentiality terms while the work group studies whether those terms should be enforceable.
More detail
The Virginia State Bar would convene a work group to study confidentiality terms in certain settlement agreements and report findings and recommendations. The study covers terms in civil injury settlements involving conduct that would constitute criminal sexual assault, commercial sex trafficking, or another sexual offense, when it occurred while the injured person was a child or incapacitated. The group must include representatives of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and RAINN, along with other relevant stakeholders, including survivor-support organizations, survivors, and experienced legal advocates. The work group must report its findings and recommendations to the chairs of the House and Senate Courts of Justice Committees by November 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Feb 9Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)
- Feb 9Senate committee offered
- Feb 2Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB406)
- Jan 13Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104933DIntroduced
Criminal JusticeCivil Rights & VotingNational Security