VirginiaRestraints on juveniles; use in court prohibited, exceptions.
What it does
Use of restraints on juveniles in court prohibited; exceptions. Prohibits the use of instruments of restraint, as defined in the bill, on a juvenile appearing before the juvenile and domestic relations district court unless, upon motion of the attorney for the Commonwealth or on the court's own motion sua sponte, the court makes a finding that (i) the use of such restraints is necessary (a) to prevent physical harm to such juvenile or another person, (b) because such juvenile has a history of disruptive courtroom behavior that has placed others in potentially harmful situations or presents a substantial threat of serious harm to himself or others as evidenced by recent behavior, or (c) because such juvenile presents a substantial risk of flight from the courtroom and (ii) there are no less restrictive alternatives to such restraints that will prevent flight of or harm to such juvenile or another person, including court personnel or law-enforcement officers. The bill provides that the juvenile shall be entitled to an attorney prior to a hearing on the use of instruments of restraint.
More detail
The bill also requires the court to provide the juvenile's attorney an opportunity to be heard before the court orders the use of instruments of restraint, and the juvenile's attorney may waive the juvenile's appearance at such hearing. Lastly, the bill requires the court, if such restraints are ordered, to communicate to the parties the basis of the decision either orally or in writing. This bill is identical to HB 2222.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Mar 24Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0470)Latest
- Mar 24Approved by Governor Glenn Youngkin-Chapter 470 (Effective 07/01/25)Became Law
- Feb 20Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025To Governor
- Feb 20Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on February 20, 2025Minor
- Feb 20Signed by PresidentMajor
- Feb 18Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1255)
- Feb 17Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Feb 17Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB1255ER)Major
- Feb 17EnrolledMinor
- Feb 12House substitute agreed to by Senate (38-Y 0-N)Major
- Vote recorded House substitute agreed to by Senate (38-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Passed House with substitute (95-Y 0-N)Passed House
- Vote recorded Passed House (95-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 10Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to
- Feb 10Read third timeMinor
- Feb 7Read second timeMinor
- Feb 7Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1255)
- Feb 5Committee substitute printed 25106789D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (22-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (22-Y 0-N)Minor
- Feb 4Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 4Read first timeMinor
- Feb 4Placed on Calendar
- Jan 31Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1255)
- Jan 23Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 22Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute-SB1255S1Major
- Jan 22Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to
- Jan 22Reading of substitute waived
- Jan 22Read second timeMinor
- Jan 22Committee substitute printed 25105484D-S1Major
- Jan 21Passed by for the day
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Rules suspended
- Jan 21Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N)
- Jan 20Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 0-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 8Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 8Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25103554DIntroduced