VirginiaJurisdiction of district courts in felony cases; specialty dockets, Behavioral Health Docket Act.
What it does
Jurisdiction of district courts in felony cases; specialty dockets; Behavioral Health Docket Act. Authorizes a general district court and a juvenile and domestic relations district court to retain jurisdiction over a felony offense for the purpose of allowing the accused to complete a specialty docket or behavioral health docket established pursuant to relevant law. Current law only explicitly provides such courts with the ability to certify felony charges to the circuit court or dismiss such charges after a preliminary hearing to determine if probable cause exists for such charges.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0580)Latest
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 580 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Mar 10Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 10Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026Minor
- Mar 2Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 2Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 2Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB245)
- Mar 2Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB245ER)Major
- Mar 2EnrolledMinor
- Feb 25Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Read third timeMinor
- Feb 24Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 24Rules suspended
- Feb 23Reported from Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 4Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 3Read third time and passed House (76-Y 19-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 2Read second time and engrossedMinor
- Jan 30Read first timeMinor
- Jan 28Reported from Courts of Justice (18-Y 1-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 21Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB245)
- Jan 20Assigned HCJ sub: CriminalMinor
- Jan 8Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 8Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102480DIntroduced